With a string of lackluster results following up on her breakthrough at Roland Garros, world No. 3 Coco Gauff hopes that going home for a mental reset is just what she needs to regain top form in time for the title defense at the US Open. American teenager Coco Gauff has not been herself since taking her first Grand Slam title at the French Open in May, lacking consistency in her performances at recent events. She lost in the fourth round of Wimbledon and fell early at the Paris Olympics.
Recently, there has been an absence of that dominant edge in Gauff’s performances, which once drew comparisons to a young Serena Williams. She expressed her frustrations rather openly at Wimbledon, arguing with her coach, and in Paris, when she got into rows with officials during her singles match. Last week’s error-filled run at the Cincinnati Open, where she hit 50 unforced errors and nine double faults against Yulia Putintseva, has left Gauff searching for answers.
The 19-year-old says that preparing for the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, she really does have faith in the athleticism and powerful serve that will help her get into the form that catapulted her to world number two earlier this year. In addition to providing an unpredictable women’s field, a dominant force for the US Open is missing, making it wide open. Gauff is one of the contenders strong enough to become the first repeat champion since Serena Williams won three consecutive titles a decade ago.
One hundred percent I think she can,” said tennis analyst Chris Evert, who believes Gauff has the potential to turn things around.
