Coco Gauff makes her feelings known about mixed doubles win with Taylor Fritz over Leylah Fernandez & Felix Auger-Aliassime at United Cup

Coco Gauff and her teammates representing the United States have kicked off their 2025 season in style. Gauff partnered with compatriot Taylor Fritz in mixed doubles on December 29 to secure victory against the Canadian duo of Félix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez at the 2025 United Cup. Following the win, the 20-year-old shared her thoughts with the press.

Gauff, who began last season by successfully defending her title at the ASB Classic in Auckland, chose a different path this year by representing her country at the United Cup for the first time in her career.

Gauff began her United Cup campaign with a win over Fernandez in their women’s singles match, while Félix Auger-Aliassime defeated Fritz in the men’s singles, leveling the clash at 1-1.

In a thrilling doubles showdown lasting 1 hour and 44 minutes, Gauff and Fritz got the better of Fernandez and Auger-Aliassime with a 7-6(2), 7-5 victory to secure a 2-1 win for the United States over Canada.

During the post-match press conference, Gauff was asked by a reporter if she could enjoy a match with so much pressure on the line. In response, she said that she focused on having fun during the mixed doubles match, staying relaxed, laughing, and giving her best effort throughout.

"Oh, yeah, I was having fun. The bench... I was laughing. I was having a good time. I wasn't thinking about the pressure, to be honest. I was just like, whatever...

"Only so much I can do in a mixed doubles match, too. I was just trying my best to have fun and enjoy it, yeah," Gauff said via ASAP Sports.

The United States team is placed in the same group as Croatia and Canada. Joining Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff in representing the team are Denis Kudla, Danielle Collins, Robert Galloway, Desirae Krawczyk, and team captain Michael Russell.

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Coco Gauff on facing Leylah Fernandez: "Very tough match to play for the first match, especially against a lefty"

Coco Gauff at the 2025 United Cup - Source: Getty

During the same press conference, Coco Gauff shared her thoughts on facing Leylah Fernandez in her first singles match of the season. It was also the first time in their careers that they were facing each other. She said:

“Yeah, very tough match to play for the first match, especially against a lefty. I think I only played one or two last year.

Yeah, I'm really happy with how I played. She's a tough opponent. Kind of a physical match considering the scoreline. Overall just happy with how I started off the season. Happy to do well for my team.”

The United States will next face the Croatian team, which includes Borna Ćorić, Donna Vekić, Luka Mikrut, Lucija Ćirić Bagarić, Ivan Dodig, and Petra Marčinko, on Tuesday, December 31.