After clinching the WTA Finals title last month, Coco Gauff is leaving no stone unturned to make a strong impression in next season. She’s busy in her training sessions to get in perfect shape ahead of the Australian Open. While she did go through a fluctuating journey in 2024, the 20-year-old American found her way at the right time. Her victory in Riyadh is a proof of that, thanks to a major technical change she made. According to a former German pro, this new-found improvement may increase Gauff’s chances in the first Major of 2025.

Coco really had a tough time adjusting her serve this season. Especially before the late part of the calendar. Leading up to it, she was clearly not in the rhythm when serving her opponents. She had a high amount of double faults too. During the Wuhan Open in October, she committed 21 double faults against Aryna Sabalenka in the SF round. Aryna won this battle 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. Not to mention Coco also made an unwanted record of having the most number of double faults in a singles match in her career. But this issue seems to have eroded now, looking at her performance at the WTA Finals. She not only adjusted her grip while serving, but also succeeded in landing the her shots more accurately. And now, it seems like this key change may help her in lifting the trophy in Australia, according to ex-pro and former German star Andrea Petkovic. In an episode of The Rennae Stubbs Podcast, dated December 16, Petkovic lauded Gauff’s improvement in serving.

While making a wild Australian Open prediction, she said, “I think that Coco Gough will be one of the favorites.” Continuing further, she added, “I think the way she played the rest of the season after the US Open was so impressive, changing the grip on the serve. She needed to do, but in the middle of the season, so much respect for that. And I think she will be one of the favorites.”

Highlighting the issue that may have caused problems in Coco’s serve in 2024, she said, “The one thing I will say, last year at the Austrian Open, and we talked about it, she came out so jacked from the off season that I almost felt she was 2-3 kilos too heavy on the upper part of her body. And that’s why I thought she was having trouble with her serve. Of course, through the course of the season, it turned out it was also a technical issue.”

Meanwhile, the 2023 US Open winner has earned a huge compliment from a renowned sports journalist ahead of the next season.

Jonathan Overend showers praise on Coco Gauff for her “resilience” at a young age

During an episode of the Sky Sports Tennis podcast, journalist Jonathan Overend highlighted Coco’s determination to work on herself on a constant basis. He seemed impressed with how the young player, at an early stage of her career, has tried to be better despite a tough season in 2024. “A period of relative disappointment. The world has started picking apart her game, telling her what she’s doing wrong,” he said.

He observed that whatever feedback was given to her, she took it thoroughly. Especially when it comes to her adjustments with the grip while serving. For example, Coco Gauff was struggling at the US Open in September. Despite her best efforts, she failed to stand a chance against compatriot Emma Navarro and got eliminated in the Round of 16. However, she made a strong return in the China Open in October. After overcoming Paula Badosa in the SF round, she beat Karolina Muchova in the title clash. With a scoreline of 6-1, 6-3, she easily took the match and the trophy. “And what happens? She makes those—she knows that. She makes some changes, she comes back, she wins Beijing. Like, straight away,” he added. “It’s just the resilience of this player is so great at such a young age,” Jonathan concluded.

Having already amassed nine career titles, the World No.3 will now look to improve her record at the Australian Open. Earlier this year, she failed to move past World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. The latter defeated the American 7-6, 6-4 in the SF round. Will Gauff manage to do one better and reach her first-ever final of this Major event? Only time will tell the answer. What are your thoughts on her chances in Australia? Let us know in the comments below.