Coco Gauff knows excatly where she ranks in the world
The American led Team USA to their second United Cup over the weekend, in the process reminding the tennis world of what they can expect in 2025.
GettyTeam USA celebrate their second United Cup[/caption]
The 20-year-old made it back-to-back victories over Iga Swiatek, on the USA’s way to the title.
In a matchup that was once a painful one-sided non rivarly, Gauff toppled the five-time Grand Slam champion 6-4, 6-4 in two hours to give her successive wins over the Pole after one win in the first 12 meetings.
Gauff’s win gave Taylor Fritz the chance to secure the title and after a narrow third set, the men’s world No 4 did just that defeating Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (4).
Since hiring her new coach Matt Daly, Gauff has made rapid progress with the two main flaws in her game, her grip and forehand.
Swiatek’s previous dominance over Gauff, which in last June saw the Pole win 11 out of their 12 matches, relied on the American’s weak forehand being exposed.
Such flaws were pointed out, by a man most call the greatest coach of all-time, the late Robert Lansdrop who coached the likes of Pete Sampras and Maria Sharpovra.
Speaking to CoachLife, in a video that resurfaced a couple of weeks ago, Lansdorp explained what Gauff’s coaching team have done wrong with her forehand.
“When [Coco] Gauff was a junior her coach had her try and hit a forehand like Serena [Williams],” he said.
“But Serena has a different grip, so it never can be the same.
“Coco Gauff, her forehand is weak, they have talked about it but they don’t know how to correct it, it is so simple to correct,” Lansdrop claimed.
Lansdrop, who nurtured four players that went on to win 24 Grand Slams, went on to explain exactly how to fix the issue.
GettyCoco Gauff made it back-to-back wins over Iga Swiatek[/caption]
“You correct it in the first place by trying to hit at least 40 or 50 percent reverse forehand so it becomes natural.
“She is trying sometimes to hit reverse forehands, you can see her on the wide forehand, but it doesn’t look like she knows what she is doing.
“All she has to do is follow through down more, not like Serena [up high], with that grip where the ball sails on her.
Both these flaws in Gauff’s game now seem to be disappearing, a heavy topspin in her forehand and an ability to deflect pace of recieivng shots, the American is able to compete and now defeat the likes of Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.
“I have the belief that I’m one of the best players in the world. When I play good tennis, I’m hard to beat,” said Gauff after her win.
That she is and Gauff will enter the Australian Open as a clear favourite and confident she can defeat everyone in her path.