Serena Williams' ex-coach makes bold statement about Coco Gauff as American starts WTA Finals with straight-set win over Jessica Pegula
Serena Williams' former coach Rennae Stubbs praised Coco Gauff and made a bold statement about the 20-year-old after her impressive start to the WTA Finals. Gauff won her tournament opener against Jessica Pegula in straight sets.
The World No. 3 started 2024 decently, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open, among other results. However, her form dipped a little towards the end of the grass-court season, as there were five successive tournaments from Wimbledon to the US Open where she did not manage to go past the Round of 16.
During this time, Gauff's second serve was a point of concern, coughing up 38 double faults in four matches at the US Open. After the New York Major, the 20-year-old won the China Open but also served 42 double faults there.
Coco Gauff started her campaign at the WTA Finals with a 6-3, 6-2 win over sixth seed Jessica Pegula. During the entire match, the World No. 3 served two double faults.
Serena Williams' former coach Rennae Stubbs took to Twitter and said that Coco Gauff would win all matches at the WTA Finals if she served less than six double faults in a match.
"Remember what i said about @cocogauff in the finals. Less than 6 double faults a match, she wins them all," the Aussie said.
Earlier, during a conversation with Gauff's former coach Brad Gilbert, Stubbs spoke about the 20-year-old's second-serve issues, saying:
"The difference with Coco is that sometimes she was hitting at like in a mid-90-s second serve, then she was going a little bit slower in the middle. There's no second serve, that's the sign. And that's a problem."
Coco Gauff: "I knew I wanted someone to help me with what I wanted to see progress in, especially on the serve"
Following her fourth-round exit from the US Open, Gauff parted ways with Brad Gilbert and recently roped in Matt Daly. The 20-year-old was asked of her coaching changes ahead of the WTA Finals at a press conference and she responded by laying emphasis on her serve as an area she wanted to see progress in.
"Yeah, I think for me, I knew I wanted someone to help me with what I wanted to see progress in, especially on the serve. Adding Matt to the team has been really great. Obviously JC, I've worked with him before. I think he has very good insight, all-court game. Yeah, I think the two blend together well," Gauff said.
"For me, at least my personal things that I was looking for, is someone that was going to help me improve for the long-term and be committed to that. I might have had to accept some losses because I am working on things, but just be committed to the process. That's what I was looking for," she added.
After a comprehensive win over Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff will next take on second seed Iga Swiatek, who won her tournament opener 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 against eighth seed Barbora Krejcikova.
Gauff and Swiatek will lock horns for the third time in 2024, having previously met in the semifinals of the Italian Open and the French Open, with the latter winning both matches in straight sets. It will be their 13th meeting overall, with the Pole enjoying a 11-1 head-to-head lead over the American.