Image source: Instagram/@cocogauff
Coco Gauff, currently ranked as the world’s number three, is heading back home for a mental reset. She’s hoping this break will help her rebound from a series of disappointing performances as she gears up to defend her U.S. Open title.
Coco Gauff’s recent outings haven’t gone as planned. She exited in the fourth round of Wimbledon, where she lost her cool and shouted at her coach.
Then, at the Paris Olympics, she was knocked out early in the singles tournament after arguing with officials. These setbacks have raised questions about whether Coco Gauff has lost the dominant edge that once had many comparing her to a young Serena Williams.
The highs of carrying the U.S. flag at the Paris opening ceremony and trading Olympic pins with her idols faded quickly. At Roland Garros, her performance on the clay courts was lackluster. Last week, Coco Gauff struggled again at the Cincinnati Open.
She made 50 unforced errors and nine double faults, allowing 34th-ranked Yulia Putintseva to take advantage of her shaky forehand and knock her out.
Coco Gauff acknowledges the need for improvement. “I feel like I have to work on consistency, overall,” she admitted, adding that she plans to reset at home before tackling the hard courts at Flushing Meadows.
Coco Gauff hopes that her athleticism and powerful serve will help her regain the dominance that pushed her as high as world number two earlier this year. With no player currently dominating the women’s field like Serena Williams once did, Gauff stands a strong chance of becoming the first repeat U.S. Open champion since her idol Serena won three straight titles a decade ago.
The 2024 tennis season has been exhausting, with the emotional and physical toll of the Paris Games taking its toll on many players. The sweltering heat and packed schedule have left the tournament wide open for any player who can find their rhythm.
“It’s been a long year, and everyone’s getting a little tired,” said Chris Evert, a six-time U.S. Open champion and ESPN tennis analyst. “It’s going to be about who’s the freshest for seven matches and who can muster the energy they need.”
When asked if Gauff can turn things around, Evert responded confidently, “One hundred percent, I think she can.”
