In the ever-evolving world of professional tennis, where raw talent meets relentless scrutiny, Coco Gauff stands as one of the sport’s brightest young stars—and yet, according to Rennae Stubbs, a former coach to Serena Williams, her journey might remain a challenging uphill climb. On March 19, 2025, Stubbs, a seasoned voice in the game, shared her unfiltered take during a podcast episode, spotlighting the technical hurdles that could shadow Gauff’s career for years to come. The 21-year-old American, already a Grand Slam champion and a former world No. 2, has dazzled fans with her speed and tenacity, but Stubbs warns that flaws in her technique—particularly her serve and forehand—might keep her from reaching the pinnacle many expect. As Gauff prepares to take the court at the Miami Open, her hometown tournament, this critique adds a layer of intrigue to a season already marked by stumbles and resilience.
Stubbs didn’t hold back, pinpointing the elements that set Gauff apart—and not always in a good way. “When you have a technique that is questionable at times, whether it be the second serve and the service motion, and the service grip, all that sort of stuff and the forehand, it affects your game more,” she said, her words cutting through the optimism that surrounds Gauff’s potential. It’s a bold assessment for a player who, at just 19, stormed to the 2023 US Open title, becoming the youngest American woman to win a major since Serena herself. But recent months have painted a different picture: a first-round exit in Dubai to qualifier McCartney Kessler, a round-of-32 loss to Marta Kostyuk in Qatar, and a rocky start to 2025 that’s left her searching for consistency. Stubbs sees these struggles as more than a slump—they’re symptoms of a deeper, mechanical challenge that could haunt Gauff unless addressed.
Gauff’s serve, often a lightning rod for debate, has been a double-edged sword. Her first serve can overpower, but the second serve—a high, loopy toss that invites attack—has become a liability against top-tier opponents. Likewise, her forehand, while capable of flashing brilliance, lacks the reliability of peers like Iga Swiatek or Aryna Sabalenka, often breaking down under pressure. Stubbs, who’s coached at the highest levels, knows the toll this takes. “It’s going to be a work in progress with the serve and her forehand for the rest of her career,” she predicted, suggesting that Gauff’s technical quirks could cap her ceiling unless she and her team find a fix. It’s a sobering take for a player whose athleticism and fight have carried her far, but it’s one that rings true as the competition stiffens.
Yet, there’s a flip side to Stubbs’ critique—a glimmer of hope tied to Gauff’s roots and resolve. Miami, where she grew up training on public courts, could be the spark she needs. “She is going to have unbelievable support in Miami,” Stubbs noted, her tone softening. “And maybe this is the breakthrough she needs going into the clay, which we know she plays well on.” Gauff’s clay-court prowess isn’t in doubt—her 2022 Roland Garros final run and consistent deep finishes on the surface prove she can adapt. With the crowd behind her and a chance to reset, the Miami Open offers a stage to silence the skeptics, even if just for a moment. Her 2023 US Open win came on home soil too, a reminder that fan energy can fuel her fire.
At her core, Gauff is more than her technique—she’s a competitor with a magnetic personality. “I adore Coco Gauff, I think she is the nicest kid, she is so personable when you see her,” Stubbs gushed, revealing a warmth that balances her analysis. That charm has won her legions of fans, from Delray Beach to Flushing Meadows, and it’s part of what makes her struggles so compelling. At 21, she’s already notched seven career titles and cracked the top echelons of the sport, a feat most players only dream of. But the road ahead demands evolution. The women’s game is a gauntlet—Swiatek’s precision, Sabalenka’s power, and rising threats like Mirra Andreeva mean Gauff can’t coast on talent alone.
As she steps onto the Hard Rock Stadium courts this week, the weight of expectation looms large. Her 2025 season has been a rollercoaster—early losses tempered by flashes of brilliance—but Miami feels like a crossroads. Can she harness the home advantage to kickstart a turnaround? Or will Stubbs’ prophecy hold, with every errant forehand and shaky serve reinforcing the narrative of a star held back by her own strokes? Gauff’s journey is a work in progress, as Stubbs put it, but it’s one the tennis world can’t look away from—equal parts promise and peril, unfolding under the Florida sun.
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