Coco Gauff is eyeing her first title since her French Open victory this morning and she’s hoping the trophy she takes home will be a cut above the one she received at Roland Garros. The American tennis star is set to face off against compatriot Jessica Pegula in the Wuhan Open final, following her win over Jasmine Paolini on Saturday.
However, the last time Gauff claimed a trophy, she took to social media to express her disappointment that she was given a miniature replica instead of the actual one she held aloft during the on-court ceremony. Even British tennis ace Andy Murray chimed in, calling it unwarranted!
Gauff clinched the second major of her career at the French Open this summer, following on from her 2023 US Open triumph. At just 21, she became the first American to win the French Open since Serena Williams’ victory in 2015.
Following tournament tradition, Gauff posed for photos with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen – named after French tennis legend Suzanne Lenglen, who won six French Open titles between 1919 and 1925.
However, upon returning to her home in Delray Beach, Florida, Gauff revealed to her followers on social media that the trophy she gets to keep isn’t quite the same as the one she’s handed on court after her win.
Instead, the champion is given a much smaller replica of the trophy, as Gauff explained on TikTok: “This is the trophy that you guys see. The one that we take pictures with, do press with and all that. But, actually, we don’t get to take this home. This stays with the tournament.
Upon collecting the smaller trophy, she said: “This is the one we take home. It’s like a mini replica of the trophy. It’s… really small. That’s how small it is. But, you know, it’s the memories that matter the most.
As Gauff’s video picked up steam online, Murray spotted her post, with the three-time Grand Slam winner calling on tennis major organisers to produce larger trophies for champions to keep.
The 38-year-old posted on social media: “Surely the tennis majors can do a better job with the replica trophies!?” before adding: “They are tiny.”
Whilst presenting replica trophies to winners is standard practice in tennis, the French Open keepsakes are the most diminutive replica prizes across all four Grand Slams. Gauff will certainly be hoping that should she overcome Pegula in Sunday’s Wuhan Open final, she’ll receive a more substantial trophy than the one she was given for her triumph in France.
It’s been an outstanding tournament for Gauff, who hasn’t lost a single set throughout the competition, but she’ll face a supremely confident Pegula, who shattered Sabalenka’s remarkable 20-0 streak in Wuhan to secure her spot in the final.
The 31-year-old also ended her four-match losing streak against Aryna Sabalenka in her quest to secure a fourth career WTA 1000 title and first of 2025. Despite dropping the opening set, the American grew stronger as the contest progressed and after taking the second set, she prevailed in the deciding set which went to a tiebreak.
Speaking after her thrilling victory, Pegula said: “That was crazy. I can’t believe I came back and won that. I was clearly very nervous trying to serve it out. Lost my timing, lost my rhythm, trying to go for too muc. But I bounced right back in the tiebreak. I’m just really proud of myself.”
