Coco Gauff has chosen to start her 2025 campaign at the United Cup in order to play at the highest possible level as she prepares for a tilt at the Australian Open crown.

Gauff made the semi-finals of the Australian Open last year, her best-ever run at the Melbourne Park slam, only to lose in straight sets to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka.

The 2023 US Open victor started the last two years by playing at the Auckland Classic, but this season has opted to represent the United States at the United Cup in Perth.

She will face Leylah Fernandez in the opening match of the USA's tie versus Canada on Sunday, with Croatia their second opponents on New Year's Eve.

Speaking to reporters about her preparations, Gauff said: "I love Auckland. I won twice there. It was a great tournament.

"For me, I wanted to play a higher level of competition and also a team competition.

"I had a lot of fun with the Paris Olympics. The season's already so much by ourselves that it's nice to mix it up.

"I think for all of us the main focus is the Australian Open and doing well there."

Prior to last year, Gauff had never been beyond the fourth round at Melbourne Park, falling at that stage in 2020 and 2023.