Coco Gauff is already making her mark on the clay, kicking off her 2025 season with a decisive 7-5, 6-1 victory over Liudmila Samsonova at the Stuttgart Open. After navigating a tense first set, the American star found her rhythm and cruised into the quarter-finals, setting a powerful tone as she builds toward her French Open title defense.

This strong start is a continuation of Gauff's clay-court mastery. Last season was a dream run, featuring consecutive finals in Madrid and Rome, culminating in her second Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros where she dethroned world number one Aryna Sabalenka. With a career win rate exceeding 75% on the surface, the 22-year-old phenom is clearly in her element.

Following her win, Gauff offered a fascinating glimpse into her tactical mindset. When asked about her clay-court inspirations, she pointed to a legendary source: Rafael Nadal. "The greatest clay court player is Rafa," Gauff acknowledged with a smile. While humbly calling herself a "Walmart version," she revealed a key technical focus: "I do try to hit my forehand like he does on clay." It's a savvy adoption from the King of Clay himself as she refines her game for the grueling season ahead.

Next up for Gauff is a quarter-final clash against Karolina Muchova, a player she holds a perfect 6-0 record against. However, Gauff is taking nothing for granted, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of professional sports. "Anybody can win on any day," she stated, showing the champion's focus that will be essential as she navigates the Stuttgart draw and looks ahead to Paris.