Fun in the Perth sun for Coco, Danielle

Coco Gauff and United Cup team partner in crime Danielle Collins are focusing on the fun as they open the season in Western Australia.

The pair joined ATP No. 4 Taylor Fritz in a pre-event outing to Perth’s Rottnest Island for a mandatory dose of Aussie wildlife, a tried-and-true PR stop for foreign tennis names stopping in for the previous Hopman Cup and the current United iteration.

After a ferry ride of a few hours across the southern ocean, the players got stuck into nature while cameras rolled and corporate social media erupted..

“We got some pictures with the quokkas,” WTA Finals champion Gauff, 20, said. “I went to the fun fair by the (Perth) hotel and went on some rides. 

“And we’re all doing a team escape room later.. we’re having a lot of fun.”

Collins, who cancelled a retirement planned for the end of last season, is back on full form.

“I just got here yesterday, so I’m just enjoying hanging out with my girls, Coco and Des (Desirae Krawczyk).

“I haven’t really done a whole lot yet. I’m looking forward to doing the escape room later, as long – if I don’t fall asleep early.”

Main photo:- Coco Gauff enjoys a stroll on Rottnest Island – by Instagram

The US Open hostilities on Sunday against North American rival Canada in the 18-nation mixed teams event being played in Perth and Sydney.

2023 US Open winner Gauff has ditched her usual season-starting stop at a WTA event in New Zealand.

“I love Auckland, I won twice there. But I wanted to play a higher level of competition and also a team competition. 

“I had a lot of fun with the Olympics. Basically “we’re a similar crew here today.

“The season’s already so much by ourselves so it’s nice to mix it up. I’m lookingforward to hopefully having a good couple weeks here in Perth and hopefully in Sydney, as well.”