Coco Gauff envisions more major titles in Elena Rybakina’s future. Here’s why.

Richard PagliaroSeptember 29, 20262 minute read

By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Photo credit: Miami Open/Hard Rock Stadium

Coco Gauff pushed Elena Rybakina to three sets in the US Open semifinals.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Gauff envisions Rybakina doing heavy lifting in the coming years.

Gauff said new world No. 1 Rybakina will hoist “many more” major championships as she asserts her authority at the top of tennis.

“Yeah, I think Elena is for sure someone who’s going to continue to win for a while just because of the weapons she’s had,” Gauff told the media in Beijing ahead of the China Open. “I think it’s no surprise. I don’t have no theory.

“I mean, you reach a certain age, things start to come together.”

Four years after winning her maiden major at the 2022 Wimbledon, Rybakina defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in both the Australian Open and US Open finals this season, denying the Belarusian’s quest to three-peat as US Open champion and dethroning her as world No. 1.

Pointing to the 27-year-old Rybakina’s stinging serve, blistering backhand and the fact she should be entering her prime winning six of her 14 titles over the past two seasons, Gauff said Rybakina can rack up more Grand Slam silverware.

“You start doing well, being more consistent. I think that’s where she’s at, in her prime,” said Gauff of Rybakina, who has won two of three meetings vs. the American. “Yeah, but I think she’s going to win many more.

“Hopefully I can not lose to her in some more semis, because it’s been two back-to-back ones (smiling). Maybe next time it will land on my side.”