The draw for the 2024 WTA Finals, announced on October 29, presents Coco Gauff with a challenging lineup for her third consecutive appearance at the year-end tournament. This season, Gauff enters with a renewed focus, competing only in singles, unlike her previous two WTA Finals where she balanced both singles and doubles campaigns. Despite winning the French Open doubles title earlier this year, Gauff decided to forgo doubles at the WTA Finals, allowing her to concentrate fully on her singles ambitions. Now, she’ll aim to push further than her previous semifinal finish in singles, targeting the coveted WTA Finals trophy.
Gauff’s journey at the WTA Finals began two years ago, though her initial experience was tough; she lost all three group-stage matches in both singles and doubles. She improved considerably last year, advancing to the singles semifinals but again found her doubles campaign ending in the group stage. This time, however, she’s hoping the singular focus on singles will bring her success. Standing in her way are three formidable opponents—players with a blend of power, finesse, and past wins over Gauff herself. Here’s a closer look at each of her group-stage rivals:
### 1. Iga Swiatek: Gauff’s Formidable Adversary
Coco Gauff’s group includes a familiar and challenging opponent: World No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Gauff has struggled historically against Swiatek, with a one-sided 1-11 head-to-head record. Both of their matches in 2024 were on clay, where Swiatek dominated in straight sets. Gauff’s lone victory over the Polish star came in Cincinnati last year, where the faster courts played to her advantage. Notably, Gauff’s success against Swiatek on fast hard courts bodes well, as the indoor conditions of the WTA Finals tend to favor quick play and could give her an edge.
Swiatek’s recent inactivity following her U.S. Open quarterfinal loss could make her vulnerable in the group stages, as she may need time to adjust to the rhythm and competitive intensity. If Gauff faces Swiatek early in the tournament, it might give her a better chance to capitalize before Swiatek finds her top form. In their previous WTA Finals meetings, Swiatek outplayed Gauff in straight sets both times: 6-3, 6-0 in 2022, and 6-0, 7-5 last year. But with her confidence high after a successful fall season, Gauff may be better equipped than ever to turn the tables on her Polish rival.
### 2. Jessica Pegula: The Battle of American Teammates
Gauff’s second group-stage match pits her against her compatriot and doubles partner, Jessica Pegula. While the two have a close friendship off the court, their rivalry in singles has tilted heavily in Pegula’s favor. Pegula leads their head-to-head 4-1, including a commanding win in their WTA Finals semifinal clash last year, where she won 6-2, 6-1. Pegula’s consistency on hard courts and tactical prowess have often posed problems for Gauff, who has struggled to break through Pegula’s defenses in their encounters.
Yet, Gauff is arriving at the WTA Finals in impressive form. She recently claimed a title in Beijing and reached the semifinals in Wuhan, showcasing her resilience and adaptability on hard courts. Pegula, meanwhile, has experienced less favorable results in recent tournaments, with earlier exits in her last two events. This shift in momentum might work in Gauff’s favor, potentially providing her with the confidence needed to narrow their head-to-head gap. To secure a win, Gauff will need to dictate the pace, using her explosive forehand and improved serve to unsettle Pegula, who thrives on rhythm and defensive consistency.
### 3. Barbora Krejcikova: The Wimbledon Champion
Rounding out Gauff’s group-stage matches is reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova. Although Krejcikova holds a victory over Gauff from a single encounter three years ago at the French Open, this will be their first meeting on a hard court. Krejcikova’s season has been mixed, with impressive high points at Wimbledon and a quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open but inconsistent performances elsewhere. This up-and-down trajectory could mean that Gauff has an opportunity to establish control, particularly as Krejcikova has not shown consistent hard-court prowess this year.
As a tactical and versatile player, Krejcikova can be challenging, but Gauff’s dynamic style and recent improvements in her baseline play and serve make her well-suited to face the Czech. Additionally, the indoor conditions of the WTA Finals, often favoring faster play, could benefit Gauff’s aggressive approach, allowing her to pressure Krejcikova’s defenses and control the tempo of rallies. Krejcikova’s experience and poise will require Gauff to bring her best game, but she remains the slight favorite in this matchup given her current momentum.
### A Tough Path Ahead, But Opportunities Await
Though Gauff enters this year’s WTA Finals with a losing head-to-head record against each of her group-stage opponents, her recent form suggests she may be poised for a breakthrough. She has a renewed focus after a fruitful fall season, her physical and mental game are sharp, and she has the home-court advantage of playing in familiar conditions, having competed in the WTA Finals for three consecutive years now. All players she’s faced before with winning or tied head-to-head records have ended up in the opposite group, meaning Gauff faces a rigorous challenge. However, this also gives her the chance to rewrite her record against formidable foes.
For Gauff, securing her first WTA Finals title will require consistent top-level play, especially given the tough lineup. Her rivalry with Swiatek represents an opportunity to earn a second career win over the Pole, while her matchup with Pegula is an opportunity to reverse her fortunes against her compatriot. If Gauff can navigate this challenging group successfully, she’ll have the confidence and experience to contend for the WTA Finals trophy—a goal that has steadily become more achievable for her since her WTA Finals debut three years ago. Whether or not she lifts the trophy, Gauff’s growth and determination have made her a formidable presence in the tennis world, and this year’s Finals could be her time to shine.