Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff both stunned after arriving at the Cincinnati Open and seeing 'insane' change

The 2025 Cincinnati Open had already begun before the Canadian Open finished, as the action never stops in the world of tennis.

Several big names will make their returns in Cincinnati, none bigger than Jannik Sinner, who won Wimbledon last time out.

Choosing to skip the tournament in Toronto, Sinner will return to defend his Cincinnati Open title fresher than ever.

Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

On the women’s side, number-one seed Aryna Sabalenka will make her comeback, looking to win her second consecutive Cincinnati Open title.

She’ll likely face some stiff opposition from her rival Coco Gauff, who was stunned in the fourth round of the Canadian Open in her last WTA Tour outing.

As both Sinner and Gauff prepare to take to the court in Ohio, they have shared their thoughts on the ‘insane’ changes made by organisers ahead of this year’s tournament.

Coco Gauff thinks the new facilities in Cincinnati are ‘better than the Slams’

During her pre-tournament press conference, Gauff commented on the new developments in Cincinnati.

“I got here literally like 20 minutes ago for the first time, and I was like Wow! I saw the video of the overhead outside part, but had no idea what the player’s area looked like,” she said.

More Tennis News

“I have still not seen the locker room or anything, but just the entrance is incredible. I think it’s insane, and all the feedback that I have heard is that it’s the best tournament on tour and better than the Slams as far as the facilities and things like that.

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

“I have not gotten around yet. I got here at 12:30 pm and went straight to press, but once I get around, I will have a better answer for that.

“But as far as a first impression, it looks incredible and I’m so excited to just explore more.”

As part of a $260 million investment in the future of the tournament, organisers completely transformed the facilities in 2025.

Gauff wasn’t the only one impressed, as ATP number one Sinner was keen to share his thoughts during his press conference.

“It’s amazing. I was talking with all the players, and it’s actually very strange for us to come to a venue where everything is new. It’s amazing what they did in one year,” he said.

“Everything has improved so, so much. But mostly the space we have for us players. There are things inside and also outdoors, like the dining area is much, much bigger, and when you come from the transportation, it’s like a hotel. It’s amazing, so incredible.

“I feel very happy and honored to have this revolution because it’s something great for us and our sport. It’s really, really nice.”

Gauff and Sinner are certainly pleased with the facilities on offer in Cincinnati, but how will they fare when they begin their campaigns later this week?

Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner’s routes to the Cincinnati Open titles (By ranking)

Searching for her first WTA 1000 title of the season, Gauff has arguably been placed on the ‘quieter’ half of the draw, avoiding the likes of Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Victoria Mboko until the final.

Gauff will be the favorite to reach the final, where she could well meet her biggest rival, Sabalenka, for the first time since their controversial French Open clash.

Sabalenka was widely criticized for her comments in the aftermath of the final, when Gauff took a 6-5 lead in their head-to-head.

Match Surface Winner Loser Score 2025 French Open – F Clay Coco Gauff Aryna Sabalenka 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 2025 Madrid Open – F Clay Aryna Sabalenka Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6 2024 WTA Finals – SF Hard Coco Gauff Aryna Sabalenka 7-6, 6-3 2024 Wuhan – SF Hard Aryna Sabalenka Coco Gauff 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 2024 Australian Open – SF Hard Aryna Sabalenka Coco Gauff 7-6, 6-4 2023 US Open – F Hard Coco Gauff Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 2023 Indian Wells – QF Hard Aryna Sabalenka Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-0 2022 Toronto – 3R Hard Coco Gauff Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 2021 Rome – 3R Clay Coco Gauff Aryna Sabalenka 7-5, 6-3 2020 Ostrava – 2R Hard Aryna Sabalenka Coco Gauff 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 2020 Lexington – 2R Hard Coco Gauff Aryna Sabalenka 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff’s head-to-head record

Another rivalry could be resumed in Cincinnati, should Sinner make it through to the final, to meet the man with whom he’s shared the last seven Grand Slams, Carlos Alcaraz.

Sinner secured a rare win over Alcaraz last time around, defeating him in the Wimbledon final, to win his fourth major title.

Both players will no doubt have dreams of getting their hands on the Cincinnati Open trophy in 2025, but won’t want to get too far ahead of themselves, as they first focus on their second-round matches.

Gauff will play either Wang Xinyu or Emiliana Arango on Saturday, August 9, while Sinner plays Daniel Galan.

Click here to read article