After Coco Gauff’s surprising exit from the US Open 2024 at the hands of Emma Navarro, tennis legend Serena Williams weighed in on Gauff’s game and pinpointed what she believed was still missing from the young star’s repertoire.
Gauff, who came into the tournament with high hopes of defending her title, was stunned by Navarro in the third round, leading to widespread discussion about her performance and future potential.
### Gauff’s Incredible Potential and Early Success
Coco Gauff, still only 20, has already achieved extraordinary feats in her career. Bursting onto the scene at Wimbledon in 2019, she captured the world’s attention by defeating her idol, Venus Williams, and reached the fourth round at just 15 years old.
Since then, she has won multiple WTA titles, broke into the top 10 rankings, and captured her first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2023.
However, Gauff’s 2024 season has been filled with ups and downs. Despite some early successes, she struggled with consistency in major tournaments. Her shocking loss to Emma Navarro at the US Open this year raised questions about her ability to maintain her form at the biggest stages of the sport.
### Serena Williams’ Perspective: ‘Literally All She Needs’
Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion and one of Gauff’s idols, offered her perspective on what Gauff needs to elevate her game further.
In an interview following Gauff’s US Open exit, Williams stated that Gauff has “literally all she needs” in terms of raw talent, physicality, and drive. However, Williams highlighted a few specific areas where she feels Gauff needs to focus if she wants to return to the top.
1. **Shot Variety and Tactical Versatility**
Williams emphasized that Gauff’s game is built around her athleticism and defensive capabilities, but noted that at the highest level, more is required. She believes Gauff needs to diversify her shot selection and employ different tactics depending on her opponent.
“She has the athleticism and the ability to stay in points, but sometimes you need more than just getting the ball back,” Williams said. Gauff’s speed and defensive skills have been her signature strengths, allowing her to chase down almost any shot.
However, Williams pointed out that Gauff should develop a more aggressive approach when necessary, mixing up her game with a stronger net presence and attacking groundstrokes.
According to Williams, Gauff’s potential would be fully unlocked if she added more variety to her game—especially when facing top-tier opponents who can counter her defensive play. Williams noted that introducing more slices, drop shots, and angles into her repertoire would help Gauff keep her opponents off balance.
2. **Serve Improvements**
One of the technical aspects of Gauff’s game that has been under scrutiny for years is her serve. While she has one of the fastest serves on tour, it has been inconsistent. Williams, who was known for having one of the best serves in tennis history, suggested that this is an area Gauff needs to focus on.
“Her serve can be a weapon, but it needs to be more reliable under pressure,” Williams remarked. Gauff’s serve has often been a double-edged sword—while she can produce aces, she also tends to rack up double faults, especially in crucial moments. Improving the placement, consistency, and variety of her serve, according to Williams, could be a game-changer for Gauff.
3. **Mental Toughness and Experience**
Serena Williams also touched on the importance of mental toughness, something she herself mastered throughout her illustrious career. Gauff has shown incredible poise for her age, but Williams believes that gaining more experience and learning how to manage high-pressure situations will be key to her long-term success.
“She’s young, and the pressure at this level is intense,” Williams said. Gauff, being in the spotlight since she was 15, has faced enormous expectations. Williams believes that handling mental challenges will come with time, and once Gauff finds a way to consistently channel her emotions on court, it will unlock her true potential.
Gauff’s loss to Navarro at the US Open was not only a physical defeat but also a mental one. Navarro, ranked much lower than Gauff, played a fearless match, while Gauff seemed to struggle to find her rhythm and was unable to turn the momentum in her favor.
Williams suggested that Gauff’s ability to stay composed and focused, especially when things aren’t going her way, is something she will learn as she matures.
4. **Coach and Support System**
Another aspect Williams mentioned was the importance of the right coaching and support system. Gauff has worked with multiple coaches throughout her young career, but Williams believes that finding the right guidance is crucial for her development.
Williams, who benefited greatly from the coaching of her father, Richard Williams, and later from high-profile coaches, noted that having a strong team around her will be vital for Gauff to continue improving. “It’s about having someone who knows how to get the best out of you, who can push you in the right way,” Williams said.
In recent years, Gauff has been working with coaches who have helped refine her game, but Serena believes that a stable and consistent team could help Gauff achieve her long-term goals.
### Gauff’s Reaction and Future Goals
After her exit from the US Open, Gauff remained positive, acknowledging that she has areas to work on but is determined to come back stronger.
“I know I can turn it around,” Gauff said, echoing Williams’ assessment that she has all the tools she needs to succeed but needs to refine certain aspects of her game.
Gauff is known for her resilience and her ability to bounce back from setbacks, and this loss to Navarro is likely to serve as another learning experience for the young star. With players like Serena Williams offering their insights, Gauff has the opportunity to absorb wisdom from some of the greatest players in history.
### A Bright Future Ahead
Serena Williams’ comments on Gauff come from a place of admiration and respect. Williams sees herself in Gauff—a young, talented, driven player who has the potential to dominate the sport for years to come. Gauff, despite her occasional struggles, has proven that she belongs at the highest level of women’s tennis.
As Gauff continues to refine her game and gain experience, she is expected to contend for more major titles. Williams believes that once Gauff addresses the small details and adds more tactical variety to her game, she will be unstoppable.
In summary, Serena Williams’ evaluation of Coco Gauff after her US Open loss highlights both the promise and the areas for improvement in Gauff’s game.
Williams remains confident that Gauff has the talent to become a multiple-time Grand Slam champion, and with the right adjustments—better shot variety, a more consistent serve, increased mental toughness, and a solid support system—Gauff is poised to be a future dominant force in women’s tennis.
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