As the 2025 China Open gets underway in Beijing—kicking off September 24 with stars like Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, and defending women’s champion Coco Gauff on the bill—Gauff stole the pre-tournament spotlight with a cheeky anecdote from last year’s event. During her press conference on September 23, the 21-year-old American reflected on her Beijing memories, zeroing in on a shared off-court outing with fellow young gun Carlos Alcaraz that ended far too soon. What started as a cultural highlight turned into lighthearted fodder for Gauff’s signature wit, endearing her further to fans who love her blend of competitiveness and humor.
The Story Behind the Tease
Flash back to September 2024: Amid the glitz of the China Open, Gauff and Alcaraz—then both riding high after deep US Open runs—took a promotional break to visit the iconic Forbidden City. Dressed in traditional Chinese hanfu attire, the duo posed for photos, immersing themselves (briefly) in the 600-year-old palace’s grandeur as part of tournament festivities. It was a perfect PR moment, showcasing tennis’s global appeal and the easy camaraderie between the sport’s rising Gen-Z stars.
But as Gauff revealed with a grin in her 2025 presser, the experience was anything but seamless. When asked about her standout “off-court” memories from last year—especially since many players rarely get to explore Beijing—she zeroed in on the Forbidden City but couldn’t resist the dig:
> “The Forbidden City, I would like to do it again, the full experience. I only did it, like, 25 minutes with Carlos. He came late, so it got cut short. I didn’t do it that much.”
Delivered with her trademark smile, the comment had reporters chuckling and highlighted Gauff’s knack for turning minor mishaps into memorable soundbites. Alcaraz, absent from this year’s China Open (he’s skipping it after a packed schedule including the Laver Cup and a focus on the upcoming Japan Open), hasn’t publicly responded yet—but knowing his playful personality, a comeback tweet isn’t out of the question.# Why It Resonates: Gauff’s Cultural Curiosity Meets Tournament Grind
Gauff, who won the 2024 China Open title by defeating compatriot Emma Navarro in the final, has long emphasized her love for travel and cultural immersion as a counterbalance to the tour’s intensity. In the same press conference, she elaborated on Beijing’s allure:
– **The Cultural Contrast**: “I think the culture is really cool and very different from anything [in the U.S.]. The food, the history—it’s all so rich.”
– **A Deeper Dive Planned**: This year, with a lighter early schedule (she called the event a “practice tournament” to shake off US Open rust), Gauff is eyeing a redo without interruptions. No word on inviting Alcaraz, though—perhaps to avoid another tardy encore.
– **Off-Court Bonds**: The pair’s friendship dates back to junior circuits, and they’ve swapped shoutouts before, like Gauff’s 2025 tweet celebrating Alcaraz’s French Open defense: “Congratulations @carlitosalcarazz amazing comeback!! We ran back Beijing.”
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) lapped it up, with posts like one from @FS_Tennis1 quipping, “Coco Gauff opens up on not being able to visit the Forbidden City nicely because of Carlos Alcaraz’s late arrival 🇨🇳,” racking up laughs and shares. It’s a reminder that amid the high-stakes baseline battles, these moments humanize the pros—especially when Gauff’s involved, turning a scheduling snafu into prime banter material.
China Open 2025: Gauff’s Title Defense Amid Absences
Gauff enters as the top seed on the women’s side, fresh off a round-of-16 exit at the US Open to Naomi Osaka and a coaching tweak with biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan to bolster her serve. Her draw looks navigable early, but Swiatek (hot off the Korea Open win) looms as the biggest threat. On the men’s side, Alcaraz’s no-show (alongside injured Aryna Sabalenka) shifts focus to Sinner and Alex de Minaur, but Gauff’s solo quest for back-to-back titles adds extra intrigue.
This “call-out” is peak Coco: cheeky, self-aware, and a nod to why she’s a fan favorite. If she lifts the trophy again, expect her to credit the full Forbidden City tour—minus any late arrivals. For now, it’s just another chapter in the Gauff-Alcaraz bromance that’s as entertaining off the court as it is on.
