Coco Gauff pays glowing tribute to Danielle Collins' attitude with strongly-worded message

Coco Gauff started her 2025 tennis season playing for the United States at the United Cup. Gauff proved to be the MVP for her team, leading them to the trophy with notable wins, including one over Iga Swiatek.

Another player who was part of that United States team was Danielle Collins. She's known as a rather outspoken player, and Gauff was asked how it was to spend time with Collins for the first time in her career. She said in a press conference:

"I think for me, being on a team with Danielle was so fun. She brought the best energy. She was sick the first week, but once that was all cleared up, she brought great energy on the bench."

Gauff also talked about the wrong idea she had about Collins due to not really knowing her before spending more time with her at the United Cup. The realization was that Collins is quite different from what Gauff initially thought.

"She's been fun, and I think she's more relaxed now. I obviously knew her as Danielle Collins, but I didn't know her well. She always struck me as someone who didn't like to talk much, but when I got to know her, I realized it was quite the opposite. She's a nice person," Gauff added.

Collins didn't play much at the event but Gauff noted that she was instrumental in helping the team win the trophy.

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"Being authentically herself" - Gauff on Collins

What Gauff has come to appreciate the most about Collins is the American's comfort with who she is. She's not exactly beloved on the tennis tour, but she's never cared to pretend to be anything other than herself, and Gauff respects that tremendously. She added in the aforementioned press conference:

"She's Danielle. Danielle is going to be Danielle, and there is no one changing her, and she doesn't care either. That's something I can respect, someone who knows who they are. On the bench, she brought the best energy, and she was super nice and honestly kind of critical in those tough moments in United Cup. Just being authentically herself. If you know Danielle Collins, you know exactly what I'm talking about."

The same can be said for Coco Gauff, who has also always been very comfortable with who she is despite the tremendous pressure coming from all sides. She didn't pay attention to it and ultimately saw herself vindicated by winning the 2023 US Open and also the WTA Finals this past year.