Coco Gauff’s 2024 season has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and it’s a journey that has captivated the tennis world. At just 20 years old, the American sensation has demonstrated resilience and determination, even while facing some very visible struggles on the court. Her year, marked by both triumphs and setbacks, will conclude with her participation in the prestigious WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia—a fitting stage for Gauff to test herself against the best in women’s tennis.
Gauff’s qualification for the season-ending WTA Finals was officially confirmed earlier this week. However, the news had already slipped out in a lighthearted moment during a press conference, adding a bit of humor to what has otherwise been a challenging year for the young star. Despite the ups and downs, Gauff currently holds the World No. 3 ranking, solidifying her place as one of the elite players in the game.
The year started on a high note for Gauff with a title win at the Auckland Open in January. This early victory hinted at the strong season ahead. In October, she followed up with another triumph at the China Open, further cementing her status as a top contender in women’s tennis. However, between those two victories, Gauff struggled to find consistency, especially on the Grand Slam stage, where she had hoped to build on her previous successes.
At Wimbledon, Gauff was knocked out in the fourth round, falling short of her aspirations at the historic tournament. Similarly, her defense of the 2023 US Open title ended earlier than expected when she was eliminated in the fourth round. The US Open loss was particularly stinging, as it showcased an issue that has plagued Gauff throughout 2024: her service game. In the match against fellow American Emma Navarro, Gauff double-faulted 19 times, a statistic that raised eyebrows and led to discussions about the vulnerability in her serve.
Her service troubles did not end there. In the semifinals of the Wuhan Open, she set a career-high with 21 double faults in a defeat to Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka. While Gauff came close to winning that match, her inconsistent serve ultimately cost her. These serving struggles have been a recurring theme throughout the year, making it clear that while Gauff is an incredibly talented player, there are aspects of her game that still need refinement.
Despite these setbacks, Gauff has also enjoyed moments of brilliance. She reached the semifinals at both the Australian Open and the French Open, demonstrating her ability to compete at the highest level. However, her hopes of claiming Olympic glory were dashed when she exited the tournament before the medal rounds, adding another disappointment to her challenging year.
Gauff’s tumultuous season has led to much discussion in the tennis world, with her service issues often dominating the conversation. Former World No. 1 and US Open champion Andy Roddick, one of the most respected voices in American tennis, weighed in on Gauff’s 2024 campaign during an episode of his “Served” podcast. Roddick acknowledged the difficulties Gauff has faced but also praised her for her achievements.
“I want to give credit where credit is due because of the loss at the US Open, the 11 or 12 doubles in that third set, the questions post-Brad Gilbert [Gauff’s former coach],” Roddick said. “Dealing with a lot of things, to create a bit of momentum set, even with the second serve rearing its ugly head again against Sabalenka, almost winning that match [at the Wuhan Open]. These two things are rarely said.”
Roddick was quick to point out that despite Gauff’s struggles, her overall game has improved significantly over the past year. “There is some work to be done on the forehand, and also she just went back up to number three in the world, having dealt with these things all year. That’s crazy town.”
He expressed his belief that Gauff will eventually correct her service issues, and when she does, the sky will be the limit for her career. “I think the rest of her game has become so much better than it was a year ago, that she will self-correct this at some point. I have full faith. It’s not going to get better overnight, but all of these things we constantly harp on and are negative about—she’s back up to three in the world, and she’s 20 years old! Can we take a step back and be realists for a second? That’s pretty impressive.”
Looking ahead, Gauff will no doubt be focusing on her service game as she prepares for the WTA Finals, which kick off in Riyadh on Saturday, November 2. This will be Gauff’s third appearance at the prestigious event, and once again, she will be the youngest player in the field. After reaching the semifinals last year, she will be aiming to go a step further and challenge for the title in 2024.
The competition will be fierce, with Poland’s Iga Swiatek, Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, and fellow American Jessica Pegula also qualifying for the tournament. Additionally, Qinwen Zheng of China and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova secured their spots, rounding out a star-studded field.
Gauff’s 2024 journey has been one of growth and learning, with moments of frustration and flashes of brilliance. As she heads into the WTA Finals, all eyes will be on how she handles the pressure and whether she can iron out the kinks in her game to cap off the year with a strong finish. With the support of tennis legends like Roddick and her own tenacity, Gauff is poised to continue her ascent in the sport, despite the challenges she’s faced this season.