Coco Gauff explains why she skipped tournament as star returns after shock Wimbledon loss

Coco Gauff is back in action at this week's Canadian Open, where she is the top seed. The two-time Major winner has not played since suffering a shock first-round defeat at Wimbledon, and she is still yet to win a match since her French Open title triumph in June.

The world No. 2 usually enters the WTA 500 event in Washington and is a former champion in the US capital. But even though she lost early at Wimbledon and had time to prepare for the North American swing, Gauff did not enter the Washington tournament this year.

Ahead of her return in Montreal, the 21-year-old has now explained why she opted to take an extended break.

"After Wimbledon I just was able to go home, relax a little bit, and then have a good training block to hopefully have some good results here and for the rest of the hard-court season," Gauff said.

"It was nice to actually have some time in between. That's why I didn't play D.C., because I wanted to just have a real training block, which I hadn't had in a while just because of how our schedule is.

"Being back in Montreal is great, and it's definitely refreshing. I like that they change it every other year just because it feels different each time.

"Yeah, I'm happy to be back here. I like this tournament a lot and would love to do great here one of these years."

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has pulled out of the Canadian Open, making Gauff the top seed. Gauff has a bye directly into the second round and faces countrywoman Danielle Collins in a blockbuster clash.

The WTA 1000 in Canada alternates between two host cities - Montreal and Toronto - each year. This year, the women are in Montreal, while the men playing the ATP Masters 1000 tournament are in Toronto.

Gauff has never been beyond the quarter-final of the Canadian Open in either city. Last year, she lost in the third round.

The 21-year-old is seeking her first match win since the French Open final, where she came from a set down to beat Sabalenka and lift her second Grand Slam title.

Since then, she's lost her opening matches in Berlin and Wimbledon. It's not the first time Gauff has suffered an upset at SW19.

In 2023, she was ousted by Sofia Kenin in the first round and then went on an incredible run, picking up titles in Washington, Cincinnati, and the US Open - her first Grand Slam triumph. And Gauff will be hoping to enjoy a similar turnaround this year.

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