Coco Gauff enters the 2026 US Open as one of the leading contenders and a former champion, with the tournament’s official entry list placing her at No. 4 among the women’s direct entrants. The American will return to New York carrying both proven Grand Slam credentials and renewed momentum from a deep Wimbledon run.
The 2026 US Open main draw begins on August 30 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. The wider event runs from August 23 through September 13, with qualifying and Fan Week preceding the singles competition. Gauff’s campaign therefore begins later this month, not before the tournament has started.
Coco Gauff’s 2026 US Open Status
Gauff is part of the official women’s singles field announced by the US Open, which includes 17 former Grand Slam singles champions across both men’s and women’s competition. The American women are led by Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova, giving the host nation several established contenders.
The women’s main-draw entries were based on rankings from July 20, according to the US Open. Gauff was listed as the No. 4 American woman and No. 4 overall entrant, establishing her as one of the tournament’s highest-ranked players before the draw is played.
The main singles competition starts Sunday, August 30, while the women’s singles final is scheduled for Saturday, September 12. That schedule gives Gauff a clear target for the closing stages, although the official tournament schedule remains subject to change.
Coco Gauff’s US Open Championship History
Gauff’s connection with the US Open became historic in 2023, when she captured her first Grand Slam singles title at only 19 years old. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final, overcoming a slow start before taking control of the championship match.
That victory made Gauff the first American teenager to win the US Open women’s singles title since Serena Williams in 1999. She also became the 10th teenage woman in the Open Era to win the event, placing her achievement within a distinguished group of champions.
Gauff’s 2023 run was notable for its resilience as much as its final result. She won four three-set matches during the tournament, including three victories after dropping the opening set, before defeating Sabalenka in the championship match.
Her semifinal victory that year also demonstrated the level required to win in New York. Gauff defeated Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-5 to reach her first US Open final, following a straight-sets quarterfinal victory over Jelena Ostapenko.
The 2023 championship remains especially significant because it transformed Gauff from a highly regarded young prospect into a proven major champion. The US Open had been one of the biggest stages of her development, and winning there gave her a result against which future New York campaigns can be measured.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Cori Dionne Gauff, professionally known as Coco Gauff |
| Age | 22 (born March 13, 2004) |
| Birthplace | Delray Beach, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Professional tennis player |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Education | Graduated from Florida Virtual Flex in 2022 |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Notable achievements | 2023 US Open singles champion, 2025 French Open singles champion, 2024 WTA Finals champion and 2024 French Open doubles champion |
| Awards & honors | 2024 ESPY Best Tennis Player |
| Net worth | Not officially verified. Forbes estimated her 2025 total earnings at approximately $33 million, which is not the same as net worth. |
| Spouse/partner | No publicly confirmed spouse or romantic partner |
| Social media | Active on Instagram, X and TikTok |
Gauff’s 2026 Season Before New York
Gauff arrived at the 2026 season with another Grand Slam title already on her résumé. She won the 2025 French Open, meaning her major record now extends beyond her breakthrough in New York and includes championship success on clay.
At the 2026 Australian Open, Gauff reached the quarterfinals before losing to Elena Rybakina. Earlier in that tournament, she defeated Muchova in three sets, improving her career record against the Czech player to 5-0 at the time.
Gauff also produced a significant run in Miami during the spring. She reached the Miami semifinals for the first time after defeating Belinda Bencic 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, recovering from a third-set deficit by winning the final four games.
Her clay-court season provided another important indication of her form. At the 2026 Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Gauff reached the semifinals after defeating Mirra Andreeva 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, surviving five match points before advancing.
Gauff then returned to Roland Garros as the defending champion. The WTA listed her as the No. 4 seed in Paris, confirming that she remained among the tournament’s highest-ranked players despite the pressure associated with defending a Grand Slam title.
At Wimbledon, Gauff reached her first semifinal at the All England Club. She defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 after another comeback, before losing to Muchova in the semifinal.
That Wimbledon result completed an important piece of Gauff’s Grand Slam résumé. The WTA noted that her semifinal appearance made her the seventh active player to reach at least the semifinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments, joining players including Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.
Why Gauff Is a Serious US Open Contender
Gauff’s strongest argument in New York is straightforward: she has already proved that her game can withstand the pressure of a US Open title run. Her 2023 championship required repeated comebacks, high-level opponents and the enormous expectations surrounding an American teenager playing at home.
The WTA describes Gauff’s preferred surface as hard court and characterizes her playing style as aggressive, built around a big serve, quickness and athleticism. Those qualities are particularly valuable over a long Grand Slam tournament, where movement and consistency become increasingly important.
Her ability to defend under pressure is another defining strength. The 2023 US Open demonstrated how effectively she could extend rallies and turn defensive situations into opportunities, particularly against Sabalenka’s powerful baseline game in the final.
Gauff’s recent Grand Slam results also show that she is no longer dependent on one surface or one tournament environment. The 2025 French Open title, 2026 Australian Open quarterfinal and 2026 Wimbledon semifinal demonstrate sustained competitiveness across different conditions.
Her current ranking reinforces that consistency. The WTA lists Gauff at No. 4 in singles, while her 2026 record through the latest available player statistics stands at 31 wins and 12 losses. Those figures place her firmly within the sport’s elite heading into New York.
The Challenges Gauff Faces in New York
Being a former champion creates a different kind of pressure. Gauff will not enter the 2026 tournament as an unknown teenager seeking her first major breakthrough, but as an established Grand Slam winner whose previous success makes her one of the players others will expect to challenge for the title.
The women’s field also contains several formidable opponents. The official US Open entry list includes reigning 2025 champion Aryna Sabalenka, while other leading names include Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova. The depth of that group makes any projected path to the final demanding.
Gauff’s own recent results illustrate the difficulty of maintaining a deep run. She has reached the latter stages of major tournaments, but those campaigns have also required lengthy matches and repeated physical and mental recoveries, especially during her Wimbledon semifinal run.
Her serve will remain an important part of the equation. Gauff’s athleticism can help her recover from difficult positions, but against elite opponents, protecting service games can reduce the amount of pressure placed on her return game and conserve energy during a potentially long tournament.
There is also the psychological challenge of returning to the site of her greatest breakthrough. Gauff has previously discussed learning to manage the expectations surrounding her career, and after winning the 2023 title she explained that she was increasingly focused on playing for herself rather than satisfying outside expectations.
What Her 2026 US Open Draw Could Mean
The precise importance of Gauff’s draw cannot be assessed responsibly until the official singles draw determines her opponents and section. Ranking positions establish seeds, but they do not by themselves reveal the complete sequence of possible matchups through the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Once the draw is available, the most important questions will involve the concentration of seeded players in Gauff’s section, potential fourth-round and quarterfinal opponents, and whether another leading contender could emerge as her likely semifinal obstacle.
The tournament schedule provides another useful point of reference. The opening round is scheduled across August 30 and 31 and September 1, followed by the second round beginning September 2 and the third round beginning September 4. The women’s singles final is set for September 12.
For Gauff, reaching the second week would represent the first major checkpoint. Her previous US Open championship showed that she can build momentum across multiple rounds, but the later stages will inevitably bring opponents capable of exploiting small weaknesses in her game.
Gauff’s Mindset Heading Into the Tournament
Gauff’s development since 2023 has included learning how to handle expectations as well as improving technically. The pressure surrounding her began long before her first Grand Slam victory, and her comments after winning in New York showed how consciously she had worked to change her relationship with that attention.
Her approach has also become more measured. In her official WTA player profile, Gauff says, “I have learned to not look so much at the results and tune out the outside pressures.” That perspective is particularly relevant for a player returning to the tournament where her career changed permanently.
The 2026 season has provided evidence that Gauff can respond when matches become complicated. Her comebacks against Bencic and Pegula, along with her three-set victory over Andreeva in Rome, show a player capable of staying competitive when momentum moves against her.
Can Coco Gauff Win the 2026 US Open?
Yes, Gauff has a credible path to another US Open title, although no responsible assessment can guarantee a championship before the tournament begins. Her previous New York victory, current top-four ranking and recent Wimbledon semifinal provide strong evidence that she belongs among the serious contenders.
Her case is stronger because her Grand Slam résumé has continued to develop since 2023. Winning the French Open in 2025 and reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals and Wimbledon semifinals in 2026 demonstrate that her success in New York was not an isolated achievement.
At the same time, the competition means Gauff cannot rely on reputation. Sabalenka, Swiatek, Rybakina and other top players possess the level necessary to defeat her, while the draw can create difficult matchups long before the final.
The clearest conclusion is therefore measured rather than absolute. Gauff has the experience, ranking and Grand Slam pedigree to contend for the trophy, but her actual chances will become much easier to evaluate after the official draw and the opening rounds establish the tournament’s competitive landscape.
What to Watch From Coco Gauff at the US Open
The first major storyline will be whether Gauff can reproduce the composure that defined her 2023 championship. That title run was built on four three-set victories, including three comebacks from a set down, making resilience one of the clearest parts of her New York identity.
Her service performance will also deserve attention because aggressive opponents can make every vulnerable service game costly. Gauff’s athleticism and return ability remain major assets, but converting those advantages into controlled matches will be crucial against players capable of producing sustained power.
The quality of her movement should be equally important. Gauff’s speed allows her to defend points that many opponents might consider winners, while her ability to turn defense into offense can disrupt aggressive baseline players and create opportunities without requiring her to dominate every rally.
Ultimately, the most revealing comparison will be between the Gauff who lifted the trophy in 2023 and the more experienced champion returning three years later. She now has additional Grand Slam success, greater experience at the business end of major tournaments and a deeper understanding of the demands surrounding her.
Coco Gauff’s US Open Outlook
Gauff’s 2026 US Open campaign carries a different meaning from her breakthrough three years earlier. She is no longer trying to prove that she belongs among the world’s best. Her record already establishes that, and her objective in New York is to convert established quality into another major championship.
The official tournament field confirms that expectation. Gauff enters alongside a group of former Grand Slam champions and leading American players, while the WTA continues to rank her among the world’s top four women. Those facts make her presence in the title conversation a matter of results, not hype.
The tournament begins with Fan Week and qualifying before the women’s and men’s singles main draws start August 30. If Gauff advances deep into the competition, attention will inevitably return to her historic 2023 triumph and the possibility of another memorable run at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
For now, the most defensible assessment is that Coco Gauff is a genuine 2026 US Open title contender, but the final judgment should wait for the draw and actual match results. Her past championship, current ranking and recent Grand Slam consistency give her an exceptional foundation for another run in New York.Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coco Gauff playing at the 2026 US Open?
Yes. Coco Gauff is entered in the 2026 US Open women’s singles main draw. The tournament’s official entry list places her among the leading players, and she is scheduled to compete in New York beginning August 30.
Has Coco Gauff won the US Open?
Yes. Gauff won her first Grand Slam singles title at the 2023 US Open. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final, becoming the first American teenager to win the women’s singles title since Serena Williams in 1999.
What is Coco Gauff’s US Open record?
Gauff’s most significant US Open result is her 2023 championship, when she won four three-set matches during the tournament. Her title run included victories over several high-level opponents before she defeated Sabalenka in the final.
What is Coco Gauff’s current ranking?
Gauff is ranked No. 4 in the WTA singles rankings based on the latest information available for the 2026 US Open field. Her position places her among the tournament’s leading contenders heading into the New York major.
Can Coco Gauff win the 2026 US Open?
Gauff has a realistic chance to win because she is a former US Open champion and remains a top-four player. Her 2025 French Open title and 2026 Wimbledon semifinal also demonstrate that she can compete deep into Grand Slam tournaments on different surfaces.
