As the French Open looms, former ATP pro Steve Johnson has sparked conversation by suggesting that Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis sensation, might be entering the tournament with a sense of frustration. Despite her recent surge on clay, including back-to-back finals in Madrid and Rome, Johnson points to lingering challenges that could be weighing on Gauff’s mind as she prepares for Roland Garros. With a career-high ranking of No. 2 and a renewed confidence on clay, Gauff’s journey to Paris is a tale of resilience, high expectations, and unresolved hurdles, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in her young career.
Gauff’s 2025 clay season has been a rollercoaster of promise and near-misses. Her run to the Madrid Open final, where she fell 6-4, 6(3)-7, 2-6 to Aryna Sabalenka, showcased her ability to compete with the elite, highlighted by a stunning upset over World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. “I’m sure I’m going to play her in another final and, hopefully, it’s a different result,” Gauff said after her 2022 French Open final loss to Swiatek, a sentiment that resonates as she chases her first Roland Garros title. Her momentum carried into Rome, where she reached another final, only to lose 6-4, 6-2 to home favorite Jasmine Paolini. Johnson, speaking on the *Nothing Major* podcast, acknowledged Gauff’s exhaustion in Rome, noting, “I think Coco kind of ran out of steam a little bit towards the end of that [Italian Open final].” Yet, he emphasized that these deep runs have restored her confidence, saying, “Her confidence was, maybe not as high as she wanted to be in the beginning of the year… So for her, an impressive month because now she has her confidence back.”
Despite her progress, Johnson believes Gauff’s annoyance stems from persistent technical flaws, particularly her serve. In Madrid, she committed eight double faults, admitting, “1st serve% was really low. When you’re playing someone as aggressive as Aryna, you def have to put more 1st serves in the court. I wish I could’ve done that better.” Her serve, often described as her Achilles’ heel, faltered again in Rome, where her first-serve percentage hovered at 55%. Johnson highlighted this weakness, stating, “We know her forehand is her weaker side and sometimes the serve can kind of go off the rails as well.” These issues, coupled with the pressure of facing top players like Swiatek and Sabalenka, who Johnson sees as the favorites, could be grating on Gauff as she heads to Paris.
Gauff’s history at Roland Garros adds another layer to her narrative. As the 2018 junior champion and the 2022 finalist, she’s no stranger to the Parisian clay, where she boasts a 19-5 record. “There’s something about clay that I have always felt comfortable on,” she told reporters, noting her improved movement this season. However, her 4-11 record against Swiatek, including a 2024 semifinal loss marred by a controversial umpire call, looms large. During that match, Gauff tearfully argued, “You should be ashamed,” after a disputed line call, later calling the absence of video replay “almost ridiculous.” Her frustration with officiating, evident in previous incidents at the 2023 US Open and 2024 Paris Olympics, could be another source of annoyance, as she’s repeatedly had to advocate for herself on court.
Johnson remains optimistic, predicting Gauff as the “third favorite” to win the French Open, especially if Swiatek or Sabalenka exit early. “She can go into the French Open feeling like she can win the tournament,” he said, citing her mental toughness: “She is one of, if not the best competitor, and the most mentally stable – week in, week out, day in and day out on the women’s side.” Gauff’s 19-7 record this season, bolstered by her WTA Finals title, supports this view, but her 0-2 record in 2025 finals might fuel her determination to break through in Paris.
As Gauff prepares for her seventh French Open, the weight of expectations—both self-imposed and from the tennis world—could be stirring her frustration. Yet, her passion remains undimmed. “As I get older, honestly, I feel like I love the sport more,” she said, reflecting on her journey since breaking through at 15. With a favorable draw potentially easing her path, Gauff’s blend of grit, talent, and newfound clay-court confidence makes her a formidable contender, even if lingering annoyances threaten to test her resolve.
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