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Taylor Fritz’s “secret advice” was an illegal code according to Gauff’s shocking revelation and tey will bot face sanctioning

Coco Gauff’s status as one of the WTA’s best players doesn’t prevent her from appreciating help from teammates. Taylor Fritz provided that at the United Cup.

Gauff and Fritz’s Team USA faced Team Greece on Wednesday in the United Cup quarterfinals. The Americans are the defending champions and also won 2023’s edition of the popular mixed event.

In the opening match, Gauff comfortably defeated Maria Sakkari, but Stefanos Tsitsipas then played superbly to overcome Fritz. That meant qualification was decided in a doubles battle between Gauff and Christian Harrison and Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

A dramatic contest went down to the wire. Gauff and Harrison narrowly prevailed 10-8 in a deciding set tiebreak after showing slightly better composure when it mattered most than their opponents.

In a post-tie press conference with Team USA, Gauff revealed that the team environment was crucial to winning the doubles, saying that Fritz gave her unexpected guidance that proved helpful.

“I think it was a team effort, especially in the tiebreaker. I never thought I would get doubles advice from Taylor, but it was actually successful. I appreciate it.”

“I think in those moments it’s important because literally in tiebreaks every point matters more so than maybe in a three-set format. Yeah, it definitely came down to the wire. So, yeah, I appreciate the whole team talking to us, pumping us up, and seeing things that maybe we couldn’t see on the court.”

Naturally, the reporter asked what the advice was, but Gauff did not want to reveal it in case it helps her and the team in their upcoming semifinal and final if the Americans progress that far.

“I mean, it worked, so we’ll keep it a secret.”

Team USA was the pre-tournament favorite, and getting to the semifinals means they have lived up to that billing. However, the defending champions have shown vulnerabilities, including Gauff also bailing Fritz out in singles and doubles in the group stage.

Coco Gauff caused controversy with her comments about American fans

Coco Gauff is one of the most celebrated athletes in her country. The 21-year-old’s background, passion for social causes, and personality make her a favorite among millions in the U.S. and worldwide.

That love from American fans was put at risk when Gauff commented in a United Cup press conference that U.S. supporters were the worst at turning out to support their country’s players, and those from smaller nations do it much better.

After a furious backlash from many fans, Gauff clarified that she did not expect anyone to travel specifically for tournaments and was referring to American fans already at tournaments, whether home or abroad, who do not cheer for their countrymen and women.

That reality, which is undoubtedly true, may be partially due to the number of top players the Americans have. Smaller countries that have one or a handful of ATP and WTA stars to follow find it more special.

Brazilian fans are the best example. Joao Fonseca has received extraordinary support at several tournaments, and Beatriz Haddad Maia also gets passionate support in many of her matches.

‘Not going to be next Barty’: Mirra Andreeva offers words of wisdom to fellow teenage prodigy

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byJordan Reynolds

Wednesday, 07 January 2026 at 21:54

byJordan Reynolds

Mirra Andreeva has dealt with massive expectations since she burst onto the scene, making her the perfect person to give Emerson Jones advice.

Andreeva was 15 when she won her first WTA main draw match at the 2023 Madrid Open against Leylah Fernandez. That made her the third-youngest women’s singles player to secure a 1000-level victory, behind only Coco Gauff and CiCi Bellis.

A few weeks later, the 16-year-old Andreeva reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, solidifying her place as one of the sport’s best talents at that age. Many felt she was destined for greatness from that moment.

Andreeva’s progress since has been impressive. At 17, she won her maiden WTA 1000 titles at the 2025 Dubai Championships and the 2025 Indian Wells Open, and was a French Open semifinalist at that age in 2024.

17-year-old Australian Emerson Jones has yet to reach those heights. However, hopes for her are high. She sits at a career-high ranking of world No. 147 and started 2026 with a straight-sets triumph over former Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria at the Brisbane International.

The teenager’s subsequent loss to Liudmila Samsonova will not dampen the hopes many have. How focused sections of the Australian media are on her was demonstrated when Andreeva got asked about the young player at a press conference in Brisbane.

A reporter wanted to know whether Andreeva had any advice for someone like Jones as someone who has dealt with high pressure at a young age. The 18-year-old answered that Jones should not focus on comparisons or comments made by others.

“Yeah, I can say that, I mean, she’s playing very well at such a young age, and I just think that if I had a chance to tell her something, maybe I would have said not to focus on whatever people say, because there’s going to be a lot of people that would say, ‘oh, you’re going to be the next Sharapova or the next Ash Barty.”

“You just have to focus that you are who you are, and you have your own path. I’m Mirra Andreeva. She’s Emerson Jones. She’s not going to be the next Ash Barty, because Ash Barty stopped her career. She’s not playing anymore. She’s going to have her own career, and I think she should focus on making her own path in tennis.”

Andreeva’s words might be a case where Jones should listen to what someone else says. Few others can relate to the pressure of being a teenager dealing with high expectations, and any coping mechanisms to keep developing from someone like Andreeva could be very helpful.

Coco Gauff is the other player who could help someone like Jones. She broke through at Wimbledon as a 15-year-old, including beating Venus Williams, one of her childhood idols. Sections of the American media have placed heavy expectations on her since.

Gauff has dealt with that superbly, becoming a two-time Grand Slam champion at the French Open and carrying herself with class. She could be someone that Jones is already inspired by.