Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old tennis prodigy who captivated the world with her 2023 US Open triumph, has hit a rough patch in the 2025 season, leaving fans and analysts searching for answers. Despite a promising start with a United Cup victory and a WTA Finals title in 2024, Gauff’s recent performances have been marred by inconsistency, prompting sharp critique from Rennae Stubbs, a former coach of Serena Williams. Stubbs, known for her candid insights, has zeroed in on the root of Gauff’s troubles, warning that without critical adjustments, her challenges could deepen.
The 2025 season began with high expectations for Gauff, who had ended 2024 on a high note by defeating Zheng Qinwen to claim the WTA Finals crown in Riyadh, becoming the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004. Her athleticism, relentless work ethic, and ability to compete with top players like Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka fueled optimism that she could ascend to World No. 1. However, a series of disappointing results—most notably a fourth-round exit at the Miami Open against Magda Linette—has raised concerns about her form. In that match, Gauff struggled with 12 double faults and 45 unforced errors, a performance she described as one where she “felt awful in everything on the court.”
Stubbs, speaking on her tennis podcast, didn’t mince words when dissecting Gauff’s game. She pinpointed technical flaws in Gauff’s second serve, service motion, grip, and forehand as the primary culprits behind her struggles. “Her grip is wrong,” Stubbs stated firmly, emphasizing that these issues become glaring under pressure, particularly in outdoor conditions where wind can exacerbate errors. She echoed the wisdom of Billie Jean King, noting, “Bad technique breaks down under pressure.” Gauff’s serve, once a weapon, has become a liability, with a staggering 21 double faults in a single match at the 2024 Wuhan Open and 19 during her US Open loss to Emma Navarro. These numbers tell a story of a player grappling with mechanics that falter when the stakes are highest.
Despite the criticism, Stubbs remains hopeful, suggesting that the upcoming clay-court season could offer Gauff a chance to reset. Gauff’s 2022 French Open final appearance showcased her prowess on clay, where her baseline game thrives without relying on a booming first serve. “She doesn’t need to go for the big bomb on the first serve because her ability on the baseline is so good,” Stubbs observed, highlighting how clay might mask some of Gauff’s technical weaknesses. If Gauff can keep her double faults below six per match, Stubbs believes her confidence could rebound, setting the stage for deeper tournament runs.
Gauff herself has acknowledged her struggles with characteristic candor. After her Miami Open defeat, she admitted, “It wasn’t great today. It hasn’t been the last few weeks. I’m trying to figure that out. Definitely not happy about it.” Yet, her resilience shines through as she refuses to dwell on setbacks, focusing instead on the clay season as an opportunity to rediscover her rhythm. Her determination mirrors the mental toughness that carried her to Grand Slam glory at 19, but the road ahead demands technical refinement to match her ambition.
The tennis world remains divided on Gauff’s trajectory. Some see her recent losses—to players like Linette, Marta Kostyuk in Qatar, and McCartney Kessler in Dubai—as growing pains for a young star still honing her craft. Others, including Stubbs, warn that persistent technical issues could stall her ascent if left unaddressed. Gauff’s forehand, often exploited by opponents, and her second serve, which lacks consistency, are areas that require urgent attention. Yet, her elite athleticism, described by another of Serena’s former coaches, Rick Macci, as “quicker than quick, faster than fast,” keeps her in contention even on off days.
As Gauff prepares for the Stuttgart Open and the clay-court swing, the spotlight will be on whether she can implement the necessary tweaks to her game. Her fans, buoyed by her past heroics, are hopeful that the clay will provide the softer landing she needs to rebuild momentum. Stubbs’ cautionary words linger: without addressing her technical flaws, things “might get worse.” But for a player with Gauff’s talent and tenacity, the clay courts of Europe could mark the start of a redemption arc, proving that even the brightest stars can shine again after a dim spell.