Ask my new coaches about the ranking—since they clearly know more about my game than I do,” Gauff reportedly yelled as he walked past reporters following the game, evidently shaken. According to insiders, the loss has sparked a heated internal blame game regarding her recent technical adjustments.
Coco Gauff will lose her status as the top-ranked American player after suffering a heavy defeat in Perth.
Gauff impressed in her first match of the 2026 season, where she beat Solana Sierra for the loss of just two games.
The 21-year-old actually won two matches against Argentina, with Gauff also winning her mixed doubles match alongside Christian Harrison.
However, serving issues returned for Gauff in her match against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, which has now confirmed she will no longer be the American number one.
Coco Gauff loses her status as the American number one
Gauff was beaten by Bouzas Maneiro, 6-1 6(3)-7 6-0, in a match that saw her hit 14 double faults.
While this was extremely disappointing for Gauff, her status as the top ranked American was already confirmed to be ending.
Last year, Gauff won the United Cup for the USA after winning all of her matches, and will be hoping to help her nation defend the title.
However, with the tournament taking place a week later in 2026 than it did last year, Gauff’s ranking points from winning the title have already come off.
As a result of this, Gauff has been dethroned as the American number one by Amanda Anisimova.
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Anisimova, who reached the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open last year, has now been rewarded with a career-high ranking of world number three.
This is the first time that Gauff has not been the American number one since April last year, when she was overtaken by Jessica Pegula.
Where will Coco Gauff be ranked at the end of the 2026 season?
matthew.johnsIt’s predictable but world number three, I don’t think she is ready to consistently beat Sabalenka and Swiatek, but I also think she will have too many points for the likes of Anisimova, Rybakina and Pegula
camerondesc1I think she might drop slightly if her serving troubles continue, maybe to 5th or 6th.
kilham.maxAgree with George, third or fourth. Do wonder if Anisimova overtakes her this year.
When can Coco Gauff return to American number one?
While this is far from ideal for Gauff, she is actually only a minuscule 14 points behind her compatriot Anisimova in the WTA rankings.
This could be recovered for Gauff if she puts her defeat to Bouzas Maneiro behind her and is able to return to winning ways.
If the USA were able to win the United Cup once again, Gauff could still earn a maximum of 325 ranking points if she wins the rest of her remaining singles matches.
Which American man and woman do you think will go furthest at the Australian Open?
matthew.johnsTaylor Fritz and Amanda Anisimova
ruchichaturvedi.1609It has to be Taylor Fritz in men and Coco Gauff in women
callum.daviesI think Ben Shelton could do it for the men, but it’s hard to predict. Amanda Anisimova to reach another final for me though!
However, Gauff’s fate is actually no longer in her hands, as Anisimova is also playing her first tournament of 2026 at the Brisbane International.
If Anisimova reaches the final of the Brisbane International then there is no possible way for Gauff to overtake her as American number one this week.