Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion and world No. 3, opened up about experiencing a “panic attack” during her emotional second-round victory over Donna Vekic at the US Open 2025 on August 28, 2025, as she prepares for a highly anticipated fourth-round rematch against Naomi Osaka on September 1, 2025, at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 21-year-old American, who burst into tears during the match, described it as her first on-court panic attack, a moment that tested her resilience but ultimately fueled her 7-6(5), 6-2 win (Daily Mail, August 31, 2025). Reflecting on her 2019 US Open loss to Osaka, where she also cried, Gauff said, “That moment was tough… I put way too much pressure on myself” (tennis365.com, August 31, 2025). This article explores Gauff’s emotional journey, her rivalry with Osaka, and how fans in the UK, USA, Australia, and Nigeria can watch this blockbuster clash, as of 11:27 AM WAT, Monday, September 1, 2025.
Gauff’s Emotional Battle and Panic Attack
In her second-round match against Donna Vekic, Gauff faced intense pressure, trailing 5-4 in the first set after a double fault led to a break. Visibly emotional, she broke down in tears during a changeover, covering her face with a towel (CNN, August 29, 2025). Speaking to Sky Sports after her third-round win over Magdalena Frech, Gauff revealed, “It was a panic attack. I’ve had them before off court, but it was the first time that happened to me on the court” (Daily Mail, August 31, 2025). She admitted to feeling overwhelmed, saying, “I was just trying to calm myself down and breathe in the moment… I wanted to get off the court right now and be done with it” (profootballnetwork.com, August 31, 2025).
Gauff’s resilience shone through as she won a dramatic first-set tiebreak 7-6(5) and dominated the second set 6-2, forcing 36 unforced errors from Vekic while hitting 14 winners (Tennis World USA, August 29, 2025). She credited the Arthur Ashe crowd and Simone Biles, who was in attendance, for inspiring her: “If she can go on a six-inch beam… I can hit the ball on this court” (Sky Sports, August 29, 2025). The experience was transformative, as Gauff noted, “I needed that to happen because the support I got afterwards, I realized how much people love me” (skysports.com, August 30, 2025).
Reflecting on the 2019 Osaka Clash
Gauff’s emotional vulnerability in 2025 echoes her 2019 US Open third-round loss to Naomi Osaka, then the world No. 1 and defending champion. At just 15, Gauff fell 6-3, 6-0 and was left in tears, but Osaka’s consoling gesture—inviting her to share the post-match interview—became an iconic moment (usopen.org, August 31, 2019). Reflecting ahead of their 2025 rematch, Gauff said, “That moment was tough because it was a hyped-up match. I put way too much pressure on myself thinking I maybe had a chance… I felt more expectation than belief” (tennis365.com, August 31, 2025). She contrasted this with her 2020 Australian Open win over Osaka (6-3, 6-4), noting, “That was more belief than expectation” (tennis365.com, August 31, 2025).
Gauff leads their head-to-head 3-2, with their most recent completed match a 6-3, 6-4 win for Gauff at the 2022 San Jose Open. Their last encounter, at the 2024 China Open, ended with Osaka retiring due to injury (espn.com, August 31, 2025). Gauff expressed admiration for Osaka, saying, “We’re not super close, but we’re friendly… I support her from afar in all she’s done on and off the court” (abcnews.go.com, August 30, 2025).
The 2025 Rematch: Gauff vs. Osaka
The fourth-round clash on September 1, 2025, pits Gauff’s elite defense and movement against Osaka’s powerful first-strike tennis. Gauff, seeded No. 3, has battled serving woes, with 320 double faults in 2025, but her 6-3, 6-1 third-round rout of Frech showed progress under new biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan (theguardian.com, August 31, 2025). Osaka, the No. 23 seed and a two-time US Open champion (2018, 2020), reached the fourth round with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 win over Daria Kasatkina, her first second-week Grand Slam appearance since 2021 (espn.com, August 31, 2025). Osaka called Gauff “the main star of the US Open” and playfully requested crowd support, saying, “It’s tough playing an American here, but I hope you guys adopted me” (sportskeeda.com, August 31, 2025).
Analysts predict a three-set thriller, with Osaka’s 83% return rate and 73% second-serve return success posing a threat to Gauff’s inconsistent serve (lastwordonsports.com, August 31, 2025). Gauff’s home-crowd advantage and 3-2 head-to-head edge make it a toss-up, as Venus Williams noted: “Everyone will be watching. That’s what tennis needs” (espn.com, August 31, 2025).
Fan and Media Reactions
Gauff’s candidness about her panic attack and her 2019 Osaka loss resonated widely. @TheTennisLetter tweeted, “Coco opening up about her panic attack and that 2019 Osaka match shows her growth. Ready for this rematch! #USOpen” (August 31, 2025). The Guardian wrote, “Gauff’s vulnerability and fight make her a fan favorite, setting the stage for a classic against Osaka” (August 31, 2025). Fans rallied behind her, with @TennisFanatic tweeting, “Coco’s honesty about her struggles and that 2019 moment? She’s a champ on and off the court! 🇺🇸 #USOpen” (August 31, 2025). ESPN called the matchup “a defining moment for women’s tennis” (August 31, 2025).
Looking Ahead
Coco Gauff’s reflection on her 2025 panic attack and her emotional 2019 loss to Naomi Osaka highlights her growth as she faces the two-time champion in a blockbuster US Open fourth-round clash. With the winner advancing to face Marta Kostyuk or Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals, the stakes are high (tennis365.com, August 31, 2025). Gauff’s resilience, backed by the Arthur Ashe crowd, and Osaka’s resurgent form promise a match for the ages. Fans are buzzing, with @WTAFanatic tweeting, “Coco’s heart and Naomi’s fire? This is THE match of the US Open! 🔥 #GauffVsOsaka” (August 31, 2025). For updates, visit usopen.org, wtatennis.com, or tennis.com, and follow @usopen, @CocoGauff, or @Naomi_Osaka_ on X. As Gauff and Osaka renew their rivalry, the tennis world is braced for an unforgettable showdown.
