Overview

• Gauff said she does not feel like the defending champion in Beijing and described this stretch as a practice period geared toward 2026.
• She has not played since a fourth‑round loss to Naomi Osaka at the US Open and used the break to train in Florida.
• After parting with coach Matt Daly before the US Open, Gauff brought in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan to address persistent serving issues.
• Gauff confirmed she remains partnered with MacMillan but said he had prior commitments and will rejoin her work when she returns home.
• Analysis notes she is defending substantial points from last year’s China Open, Wuhan and the WTA Finals, with projections warning of a rankings slide if she underperforms.