Gauff is continuing the tradition of exploring Cincinnati while competing this year.
Coco Gauff of the United States pumps her fist after winning a point in the first set during her Round of 16 match against Marie Bouzková at the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Aug. 19, 2026. Gauff defeated Bouzková 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the quarterfinals.
The two-time Grand Slam champion watched the 2016 Japanese anime “Your Name” while in Cincinnati, according to the Cincinnati Open website. The exact date and location of the screening were not revealed, but it’s been showing in select local theaters for its 10th anniversary.
Before her Round of 16 match against Czech player Marie Bouzková, Gauff said, “I’m just a regular person. Maybe a couple of people might recognize me, but I’m always in different places where I feel pretty safe and nothing’s going to happen.”
“That’s something I enjoy. I’ve always been someone who’s enjoyed alone time,” she continued.
Gauff, who grew up in Delray Beach, Florida, is especially fond of Cincinnati because it reminds her of matches she attended here as a child. Gauff added that she enjoys playing at the Cincinnati Open because it “feels familiar.”
“Cincinnati is a big city, but it still has a hometown kind of feel. It doesn’t necessarily feel like there’s a lot going on, but if you dig a little bit, there actually is,” she said.
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See photos from a busy Round of 16 at the Cincinnati Open
Iga Swiatek of Poland watches her shot to Diane Parry of France during their Round of 16 match at the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Aug. 19, 2026. Swiatek won 6-3, 6-3. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
2/ 13Diane Parry of France <a href="https://comicvibe.com/oklahoma-comic-arts-festival-returns-sept-12-in-okc/” title=”Oklahoma Comic Arts Festival Returns Sept. 12 in OKC”>returns a shot to Iga Swiatek of Poland during their Round of 16 match at the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Aug. 19, 2026. Swiatek won 6-3, 6-3. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
3/ 13Tennis fans watch Rafael Jodar of Spain and Flavio Cobolli of Italy compete in a Round of 16 match at the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Aug. 19, 2026. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
4/ 13Iga Swiatek of Poland returns a shot to Diane Parry of France during their Round of 16 match at the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Aug. 19, 2026. Swiatek won 6-3, 6-3. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
5/ 13Iga Swiiatek of Poland makes a shot to Diane Parry of France during the 16th round of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on August 19, 2026. Swiatek won, 6-3,6-3. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
6/ 13Rafael Jodar of Spain chases down a shot from Flavio Cobolli of Italy during their Round of 16 match at the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Aug. 19, 2026. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
7/ 13Flavio Cobolli of Italy reacts to missing a point against Rafael Jodar of Spain during the 16th round of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on August 19, 2026. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
8/ 13Flavio Cobolli of Italy returns a hit to Rafael Jodar of Spain during the 16th round of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on August 19, 2026. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
9/ 13Rafael Jodar of Spain reacts to missing a shot to Flavio Cobolli of Italy during their round of 16 match at the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Aug. 19, 2026. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
10/ 13A spectator cools off with a fan while watching Rafael Jodar of Spain and Flavio Cobolli of Italy compete in a Round of 16 match at the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Aug. 19, 2026. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
11/ 13Rafael Jodar of Spain returns a shot to Flavio Cobolli of Italy during their round of 16 match at the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on Aug. 19, 2026. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
12/ 13Flavio Cobolli of Italy makes a serve to Rafael Jodar of Spain during the 16th round of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on August 19, 2026. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
13/ 13Flavio Cobolli of Italy makes a serve to Rafael Jodar of Spain during the 16th round of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason on August 19, 2026. (Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer)
