Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis sensation, has hit a rough patch in her otherwise dazzling 2025 season, and the tennis world is buzzing with opinions on how she can reclaim her spark. After a stellar 2024 that saw her clinch the US Open and WTA Finals, Gauff’s early 2025 has been a rollercoaster of disappointment—first-round exits in Qatar and Dubai, a Round of 16 loss at Indian Wells, and most recently, a disheartening defeat at the Miami Open to Magda Linette, marked by a staggering 12 double faults. Enter Rennae Stubbs, the former coach of Serena Williams, who’s stepping into the fray with some tough love for the young star. Stubbs’ advice? Gauff needs to “get out of her comfort zone” if she’s to break free from this slump and soar back to the top.
The Miami Open loss was a gut punch for Gauff fans. The world number three, known for her electrifying speed and relentless fight, looked out of sorts against Linette, a player ranked far below her. The match stats told a grim story: alongside those 12 double faults, Gauff racked up unforced errors that betrayed her usually steady game. It’s a far cry from the player who stormed through last year’s hard-court season, leaving opponents in her dust. Stubbs, a seasoned voice in tennis who once guided Serena to glory, didn’t hold back in her assessment. “She’s got to shake things up,” Stubbs insisted, pointing to Gauff’s need to step beyond the familiar patterns that have defined her play. For Stubbs, staying cozy in her current approach is a recipe for stagnation—and Gauff can’t afford that with the clay season looming.
Gauff’s struggles aren’t new to those who’ve watched her closely. Her serve, particularly the second delivery, has long been a Achilles’ heel, a vulnerability that flares up under pressure. In Miami, it was a glaring liability, with double faults piling up at critical moments. Stubbs sees this as more than a technical glitch—it’s a mental hurdle, too. “She’s too comfortable with what’s not working,” Stubbs remarked, suggesting that Gauff’s reluctance to overhaul her game is holding her back. The ex-coach isn’t alone in this view; the tennis community has been abuzz with chatter about Gauff’s forehand and serve, weaknesses that elite opponents like Linette exploited with precision. Yet, Stubbs’ call to action isn’t just about fixing shots—it’s about a mindset shift, a willingness to embrace discomfort for the sake of growth.
The timing couldn’t be more pivotal. With the clay courts of Rome and Roland Garros on the horizon, Gauff has a chance to reset. She’s no stranger to adversity—after a mid-2024 dip, she swapped coaches, bringing in Matt Daly, and roared back to win the China Open. That resilience is what Stubbs is banking on. “Coco’s a fighter,” she’s said before, praising the young star’s grit. But this time, the challenge is deeper. Stubbs wants Gauff to ditch the safety net, to experiment with new tactics and push her limits. “She’s got the talent to be number one again,” Stubbs added, her words a mix of encouragement and urgency. It’s a tall order for a player who’s already achieved so much at such a young age, but Stubbs believes Gauff’s potential is far from tapped.
Gauff herself isn’t blind to the struggle. After the Miami defeat, she laid bare her frustration: “It wasn’t great today.” Yet, there’s a flicker of hope in her resolve. She’s spoken of wanting “another major” over a top ranking, a sign she’s still hungry for the big stages. Stubbs’ advice could be the spark she needs—a push to rethink her game, to step into the unknown. The tennis world watches eagerly, wondering if this prodigy, once hailed as the heir to Serena’s throne, can channel that same fearless energy her mentor once wielded. For now, Gauff stands at a crossroads: cling to the comfort zone, or take Stubbs’ dare and redefine her future, one bold swing at a time.
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