Ex-WTA Pro Suspects Something is ‘Wrong’ with Coco Gauff Amidst Her Slump in Form
Coco Gauff has lifted only the French Open this year by beating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Follow Us
Coco Gauff (Image via X/Coco Gauff News)
🔍 Explore this post with:
After a string of disappointing results, Coco Gauff finally found her form when the clay season started because she ended up reaching three finals, winning one title. That success she achieved at the French Open after coming from a set down to beat World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.
But since that win, Gauff failed to reach the final in the next five tournaments she played, including at the US Open. Then, during the Asian swing, the 21-year-old reached the semifinals of the China Open (she was the defending champion) only to suffer defeat at the hands of eventual champion Amanda Anisimova.
Gauff is in Wuhan for the final WTA 1000 of the season. She has progressed to the quarterfinals, where she is scheduled to square off against Germany’s Laura Siegemund. Recently, during the Australian Open podcast, former WTA player Nicole Pratt commented on Gauff’s mixed season.
Coco Gauff is an interesting case. I saw her in Beijing; she actually played with Storm Hunter in a practice session. It’s there, but it’s not there. There’s something underlying that’s sapping her confidence. We talked a lot about the serve, but beyond that, there’s something wrong. She’s still young, and she can do it.
Gauff has made her second appearance in Wuhan following the 2024 season. Her run last year was ended by eventual champion Sabalenka in the semifinals. Gauff will meet the tournament’s most successful player, Sabalenka, only if they both progress to the final.
Coco Gauff on the constant battle she is facing in her career
Coco Gauff always wants to believe in herself and her abilities. But despite her strong mentality, she sometimes is too hard on herself.
I still want to be the best player and reach number one one day and win more slams than I’m at. I’m definitely not close to being satisfied. But I think as an adult, I now think of other aspects and other goals I have outside of the court, rather than strictly tennis. I try to be my best friend out there on the court and be positive and really believe in myself. Sometimes there are moments on tour where I am not necessarily believing that, so I think it’s going to be a constant battle for me in my career.
Coco Gauff told Sky Sports in Wuhan
Gauff has two WTA 1000 titles to her name, the 2023 Cincinnati Open and the 2024 China Open. Apart from these events, she also reached the finals of this year’s Madrid Open and the Italian Open, losing both to Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini, respectively.
Coco Gauff will remain as World No.3 if she wins the Wuhan Open
If Gauff wins in Wuhan, it won’t be enough for her to remove Iga Swiatek from the second position. The Pole has 8768 points in the live ranking, while Gauff has 7088 points. If Gauff wins, she will have 7873 points.
Swiatek doesn’t have any points to defend in Wuhan. She, in fact, made her debut in the event this year. The six-time Grand Slam champion has already progressed to the quarterfinals, where she is scheduled to lock horns with Paolini.
Swiatek also made her debut at the Korea Open, where her campaign ended with a three-set win over Ekaterina Alexandrova in the final. She is projected to lock horns with Gauff in the semifinals.
The two-time Grand Slam singles champion has met the 24-year-old 15 times and could win just four matches. But the American ace has secured wins in their last three encounters, including in the Madrid Open this year. Swiatek is chasing her fourth title of the season after her wins at Wimbledon, Cincinnati Open, and the Korea Open.
Also read: Jessica Pegula Reacts to the Humid Conditions Players Are Struggling With at the Wuhan Open
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)