The Chinese fans have always held a special place in Coco Gauff‘s heart. Remember last year when a fan asked her to sign a laptop? Or when Coco pointed out the many gifts she receives from them compared to the US? She even said, “Honestly, it’s the place I’ve come [where] I’ve gotten the most gifts.” But that’s not all! The fans here love giving players unique nicknames, and Coco always makes the list!

On Sunday, the American beat Leylah Fernandez after a tough three-set battle on challenging courts (6-4, 4-6, 7-5). In her press conference, reporters asked her about nicknames, “Last press conference you said you asked for the Chinese fans to give you a nickname relative to animal.” Let’s just say the nickname suits her personality to the core.

The 21-year-old revealed, “Yeah, there was a fan. His name is Hans (phonetic). He told me I’m the wolf. I need to ask him why he chose that. I don’t see myself as a wolf.” With a peculiar nickname, Gauff seemed unimpressed, as it didn’t match her personality. Yet, she’s a whole different species on the court, and it probably resonates with her, according to Gauff.

She said, “I feel like a wolf is a little bit more serious. Maybe I’m like that on the court. Wolves are pretty animals. It’s my boyfriend’s favorite animal, I’m pretty sure. I’ll take it.” It’s fun to see her find a personal connection in it, even if we don’t yet know why the fan picked a wolf.

The nickname “wolf” suits Coco’s fierce intensity and sharp focus on court. It shows her tenacity and never-give-up attitude. It also captures the independent and strong nature needed to succeed in competitive tennis. Coco proved that today against Leylah by conquering her in China.

While a wolf is her boyfriend Jalen Sera’s favorite animal, what about Coco? “If I had to choose an animal, I really love Orcas, killer whales. I think they’re really cool, I watch like a bunch of documentaries on them,” she said. Then, Gauff shyly added, “I’m rambling. I’ll shut up. Thank you, guys (laughter).”

Like an orca, she pounced on her opponents with killer blows with her tennis racket. Looks like Beijing fans found a fun nickname for Coco Gauff. Since arriving at the China Open, she’s been showered with gifts. From cuddly stuffed animals to quirky Labubu dolls, the surprises kept coming. Coco couldn’t hide her amazement. As the defending champ, she’s feeling the love and support, chasing another deep run in the tournament!

Coco Gauff adores Chinese fans’ affection

After a challenging battle against Leylah Fernandez, the World No. 3 had to dig deep to hold off the former US Open champ. The match wasn’t easy, especially with the slow court conditions in Beijing. But guess who had Coco’s back? The Chinese fans! Their loud, passionate support clearly lifted her.

In her post-match chat, Gauff opened up about her global fanbase and why people seem to love her. “Every day here, I wake up so grateful to everyone who appreciates me,” she said with a smile. “I ask them why they like me, and they say, ‘We like your personality.’ That hits different—it makes me feel like a person, not just a player.”

She also shared how much she treasures fan love, especially the gifts. “I hope Western fans will be as kind as the Chinese with their gifts because I love being spoiled—it’s really fun!” Gauff added. She’s clearly smitten with Beijing and excited about the lively atmosphere as she embraces her life on tour. The match itself was a rollercoaster. Gauff admitted the slow conditions made it tough to hit through Fernandez, who thrives on taking the ball early. Despite some shaky moments (like six double faults), Coco fought hard, even pulling off a dazzling defensive forehand pass at 4-2.

Now, she’s gearing up for the round of 16 against Belinda Bencic. With this incredible fan backing, can the defending champ make the quarterfinals? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts with us!