Coco Gauff vs Emma Raducanu: A Clay Court Clash Set to Ignite in Rome
Coco Gauff appears to be regaining momentum after a shaky start to the 2025 season. Early exits during the Australian hard-court tour, the Middle East stretch, and the Sunshine Double had cast doubts on her form. Even in Stuttgart, she stumbled with a quarterfinal loss. However, her performance in Madrid signaled a turnaround. Gauff reached the final, narrowly falling to Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling encounter. Reflecting on the match, she admitted her low first-serve percentage cost her dearly against an aggressive opponent like Sabalenka.
Now in Rome and riding a wave of confidence, Gauff is set to face Emma Raducanu in the round of 16. Speaking ahead of the matchup, Gauff praised Raducanu’s resurgence and clay-court potential. “She’s obviously a great player… and it’s going to be a different matchup on clay here,” Gauff told Tennis Channel. She acknowledged that Raducanu’s game suits the surface and expects a tough battle.
Emma Raducanu, on the other hand, has also revived her 2025 season. Following a rough start—including an early exit at the Australian Open and three straight first-round losses—she began to show signs of recovery at the Miami Open with a quarterfinal appearance. Although she exited early in Madrid, her form in Rome has been impressive. Raducanu reached the round of 16 with a stunning comeback victory over Veronika Kudermetova, 5-7, 6-0, 6-1.
Gauff had a more routine path to the same stage, dispatching Magda Linette in straight sets. This sets the stage for a high-stakes encounter between two young stars with something to prove.
Emma Raducanu and Coco Gauff will face each other in the 4th round of Rome.
Battle of the U.S. Open Champions.
Excited for this one. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/x7DasmjOZt
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 11, 2025
Their last meeting was at the Australian Open two years ago, where Gauff triumphed in straight sets during a widely anticipated second-round match. Recalling that win, Gauff noted how both players were likely nervous but praised the match as a quality showdown.
Raducanu, learning of her next opponent during a post-match interview, handled the news with composure. She acknowledged Gauff’s credentials on clay, referencing the American’s past French Open final appearance, and expressed excitement for the challenge ahead. A win would also see Raducanu reclaim the British No. 1 ranking from Katie Boulter—adding extra motivation.
Off the court, Gauff took a moment to celebrate Mother’s Day with her mom, Candi, who has been a constant presence throughout her career. After her R32 win, Coco expressed her gratitude and humorously admitted she hadn’t yet treated her mother to flowers—but did promise dinner and a belated celebration. “She said the best gift would be a win,” Coco shared, “so anything else is extra.”
Candi later posted a photo of their celebratory dinner on Instagram, showcasing the strong bond between mother and daughter—a source of strength for Coco as she prepares for her next match.
As these two rising stars prepare to face off, all eyes are on Rome to see whether Gauff’s momentum or Raducanu’s clay-court revival will come out on top. With both players eyeing a deep run ahead of Roland-Garros, this showdown could be a defining moment in their seasons.