Coco Gauff is a crowd favorite and there’s no doubt about it. Since her 2023 US Open triumph, the 21-year-old has amassed huge fanbase no matter where she goes. Remember last year’s Madrid Open where a hardcore follower asked her to sign on their arm? Recalling that moment on her IG, Gauff later wrote, “I normally don’t record videos like this, but I had the craziest fan. She is the sweetest soul.” And guess what? The fan, named Katherine, waited an entire season to make a second interaction with her idol. During this year’s Madrid Open edition, she appeared once again while revealing Gauff’s signature, alongside her silhouette, on her arm! Gauff’s reaction? She was left speechless while writing on her IG story, “She tatted me and my signature omg.” It seems there’s something about Coco that gravitates crowd towards her. No matter the outcome, she never misses to greet ardent fans. Same was the case this week in Madrid. Despite facing a big setback against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, she still emerged as a “true champion”. How?

On Saturday, Gauff met Sabalenka for a 10th time across WTA events. She was leading the h2h tally 5-4 but by the time the summit clash in Madrid culminated, the Belarusian leveled it 5-5. Sabalenka added a third title to her collection in 2025 with a score line of 6-3, 7-6(3). It was also her third overall trophy in Madrid (after 2021 and 2023). “I don’t know, I just love this court, I love the support here, I think that’s the secret,” said the three-time slam winner on her victory. But it appears the Madrid crowd equally cheered for the losing opponent as well.

A true sportsperson’s character shines during low moments. And Gauff’s one to always smile even if she loses. Perhaps that’s what makes fans love her, along with her ‘sweet’ gestures. Yes, she couldn’t lift her first Madrid title against Sabalenka, but the American pro made sure she greeted her fans afterwards. Not just that, she even snapped photos with them. Simply adorable, isn’t it? Impressed with her personality, one ardent fan took to X and wrote, “Gotta mention Coco Gauff who came to signs loads of picture and signature with the fans. True champion no matter the outcome. The fans started singing ” Coco Coco” so sweet 🥺🥺🥺🥺”

Gauff struck the limelight ever since she stunned 7-time slam winner Venus Williams in 2019’s Wimbledon. She was just 15 back then but didn’t take long to attract a massive fan following. Especially after her 2023 triumph at the Flushing Meadows when she beat Sabalenka to win a maiden slam trophy.

Last month, during the Stuttgart Open, Gauff reflected on her off court popularity. Mentioning how she’s still adjusting to it, she said these days people recognize her “Sometimes pretty quickly,”

“And sometimes you have someone look at you and then by the time you walk you can hear them be like, ‘oh my, god, is that Coco?’ And so most of the time I just keep walking because I don’t want to…I don’t know it’s kind of awkward. Like, ‘yeah, it is me’ or something.” But it’s all about the performance that speaks eventually, right? Gauff knows it well and always strives to improve – no matter the results. While she may have lost in Madrid, she’s still got the entire season to come back strongly. She made it evident with a confidence-boosting message on social media.

Coco Gauff embraces Madrid loss with an urge to ‘work even harder’

Since she entered the QF in Australia, back in January, Coco Gauff‘s 2025 journey has been nothing less than a nightmare. In back-to-back campaigns, she faced early round exits until the Stuttgart Open on clay. Last month, she managed to reach the QF stage before losing to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. However, it seems this improvement was enough to fuel her drive for an even better performance in Madrid.

She did exactly that and made it to the summit clash of the WTA 1000 event. It’s the first time this season that she reached a final battle of a tournament. On her way to the summit clash, she also edged out defending Madrid winner Iga Swiatek, in the SF. Gauff simply dominated her with a double breadstick (6-1, 6-1) – wrapping things up in mere 64 minutes.

Despite losing to Sabalenka eventually, there are many positives to take from this campaign. Gauff knows chose to reflect on them in a post on her X account on Sunday. The 2024 WTA Finals champion wrote, “thank you madrid❤️ not the outcome I was hoping for today but a lot to be proud of. leaving here with my head up and more motivation to work even harder to do better next time🙏🏾 #Godstiming”

The American star will now try to carry her Madrid form into the Italian Open and then the Roland Garros too. What are your thoughts on her prospects going forward this season? Let us know in the comments below.