American tennis player Coco Gauff recently shared her thoughts on which WTA players might adapt well to Winter Olympic disciplines. Her comments came amid the ongoing 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, an event generating widespread interest. This reflection followed Gauff’s unexpected early exit from the Qatar Open, where she was defeated in the first round by lucky loser Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
When asked about tennis players who might succeed in winter sports, Gauff named two prominent figures from the WTA Tour whom she believes could transition effectively based on their playing styles.
Figure Skating and Curling: Sports Gauff Associates with Swiatek and Jabeur
Speaking with the Tennis Channel, Gauff suggested that Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur have qualities suitable for distinct Winter Olympic sports. She linked Swiatek’s court movement to figure skating, while envisioning Jabeur excelling in curling.
I mean Iga slides a lot on the court, so I don’t know if it correlates with figure skating or something like that,
said Gauff.
Regarding Jabeur, Gauff added,
For some reason I see Ons as the person sweeping, is it curling? Just because she has a good touch, so she can like read the amount of sweep she has to do to make it in the right spot.
Her opinions received support from fellow players. Amanda Anisimova also nominated Swiatek for winter sports due to her agility and movement. Emma Navarro selected Gauff herself for skiing, citing Gauff’s flexibility and leg strength.
I’d probably have to go with Iga, because of her agility and overall movement skills.
— Amanda Anisimova
I think Coco maybe…I feel like she could be a good skier, she’s got like bendy knees and strong legs and stuff,
explained Navarro.
Additionally, Leylah Fernandez named Mirra Andreeva as a promising figure skater, displaying a different perspective on winter sport potential within the tennis community.
I don’t know why my mind went directly to figure skating, and I feel like Mirra Andreeva would be a very good figure skater.
— Leylah Fernandez
Gauff Supports Current Winter Olympians in Milan Cortina
Beyond speculation on crossover talents, Coco Gauff has actively engaged with the 2026 Winter Olympics by expressing support for athletes competing in Milan Cortina. She reached out to skier Lindsey Vonn after Vonn’s Olympic disappointment, showing genuine investment in the Games.
Gauff voiced her admiration for snowboarder Chloe Kim and figure skater Alyssa Liu, highlighting their performances and personal stories. Liu has already earned gold in the figure skating team event, while Kim leads the standings after qualifying for the snowboarding halfpipe final.
Looking forward to supporting Chloe Kim,
Gauff shared, also noting,
Alyssa Liu the figure skater, I love her hair and like her whole comeback story.
The athletes Gauff supports have achieved notable success, underscoring her connection to winter sports beyond just theoretical crossover from tennis.
Implications of Gauff’s Winter Olympic Insights
Coco Gauff’s observations reflect a broader curiosity about athletes who might transition between summer and winter sports, emphasizing the adaptability and physical skills present among tennis players. Her choices—Swiatek for figure skating and Jabeur for curling—highlight unique attributes seen in tennis that could translate to winter disciplines.
As the Milan Cortina Games proceed, Gauff’s interest enhances the connection between these global sporting events, potentially inspiring fans and athletes to consider cross-sport abilities in new ways. Meanwhile, her ongoing support for current Winter Olympians like Chloe Kim and Alyssa Liu indicates a sincere engagement with winter sports and their athletes.
WTA 🤝 Winter Olympics ❄️ pic.twitter.com/G85w0EYiZB
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) February 11, 2026
