Coco Gauff, the rising star of American tennis, recently addressed speculation surrounding her on-court performance, attributing any perceived declines to natural fluctuations in the sport rather than personal issues. Gauff, who has been in the spotlight since her impressive 13-2 record culminated in 2024 with a WTA Finals title, has faced criticism following a rocky start to her season this year.
Currently ranked No. 3 in the world, the young athlete experienced a downturn, suffering three consecutive losses after a victorious uninterrupted sequence of nine matches. Although she managed to halt this streak at Indian Wells, her performance fell short of her own high expectations. This led to a disappointing round-of-16 exit where she was defeated by Belinda Bencic. As these circumstances unfolded, some began to question her viability as a contender in the ongoing Miami Open.
Despite the negative feedback, Gauff remains unfazed. The vibrant 21-year-old player remarked, “Sometimes when I don’t do well, people think there’s something personally wrong with me. I’m like, ‘I just lost a couple of matches! I’m chillin,'” dismissing any insinuation that external factors were affecting her performance. As the reigning US Open champion, Gauff is no stranger to lofty expectations, and she has been making adjustments to her game over the past few months.
Gauff pointed out, “I’m obviously not happy with those past results, but it’s one of those things that, in the history of my career, I’ve had ups and downs. I still feel I have a couple more years … (to reach) that point where every week is a great week, I guess. I’m also amidst changes in my game; it’s been difficult.” As the top-seeded American female tennis player participating in the Miami Open, Gauff was enjoying a first-round bye and is set to face Sofia Kenin next.
Stepping onto the court, Gauff is determined to remain focused on her performance, aiming to silence critics and let her results speak for themselves. Her recent struggles have drawn attention, and even former player Rennae Stubbs has shared insights into challenges Gauff may face as she progresses in her career. Stubbs noted on her podcast, “Coco is unique because when she’s great, she is so great. Unfortunately, she’s talked about it in the press, I started the year really well, United Cup, all of these things. But her technique fails under pressure.”
Stubbs elaborated that the young athlete’s service motion and forehand technique, particularly in outdoor conditions, could hinder her performance at crucial moments. “When you have a technique that is questionable at times… it affects your game more,” Stubbs explained. Despite these criticisms, Stubbs emphasized Gauff’s admirable character, stating, “I adore Coco Gauff, I think she is the nicest kid, so personable when you see her.”
Gauff herself is aware of the reception she receives, attributing some of the scrutiny to her early success. She reflected on this dynamic, saying, “I think people are very critical of me, maybe because of how I burst onto the scene.” This self-awareness illustrates her understanding of the pressures that accompany being in the public eye.
While some may view Gauff’s high expectations as a burden, she perceives them as acceptable, acknowledging that improvement is part of her growth as an athlete. Looking ahead, she is optimistic about the Miami Open serving as a pivotal opportunity—an immediate chance for her to refine her game and reclaim her form. As she prepares for her match against Sofia Kenin on March 21, the tennis world remains keenly interested in how Gauff will navigate this critical phase of her career.
With time and support from her coaches, including Matt Daly, Gauff is focused on addressing the technical aspects of her game that have garnered criticism. Her persistence and determination are evident as she trains, focusing on overcoming the challenges noted by industry veterans like Stubbs, who expressed hope that Gauff’s performance would improve as she moves toward the clay tournaments, which could suit her style better.
Ultimately, Gauff’s journey in tennis exemplifies the ups and downs that many athletes experience. As she continues on this path, fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see how she develops and whether she can bounce back decisively from her recent setbacks. With her talent, age, and experience, many believe she is destined to achieve even greater heights in the world of professional tennis.
