Coco Gauff became the newest tennis sensation on the women’s tour after lifting the US Open trophy on her home soil. At the mere age of 19, the American tennis player dispatched some formidable competitors like Aryna Sabalenka and Karolína Muchová to secure her maiden Grand Slam title. But do you know what might be Gauff’s secret sauce to success on the tennis circuit?

The 19-year-old undoubtedly concluded her best season, in which she clinched the Washington WTA500, Cincinnati WTA1000, and the US Open. On top of this, the tennis prodigy has now established herself in the top 3 spots of the WTA rankings. Emphasizing her rise to prominence at a young age, the former tennis player Andrea Petkovic recently revealed the biggest reason behind Gauff’s recent success while naming an unsung hero.

Andrea Petkovic on Coco Gauff’s secret sauce to success

The reigning US Open champion didn’t start the season on a high note, as she faced a number of initial round defeats. However, things changed for Coco Gauff after teaming up with the Spanish coach Pere Riba during the hard court season, in which she won three WTA singles titles.

Notably, the former German tennis player Andrea Petkovic recently opened up about Riba’s crucial role in Gauff’s recent success on the tour. In the latest episode of the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Petkovic said, “I think a lot of credit goes to him. And he was forgotten. For my taste, He was forgotten many times because he’s done the training. He’s done the training after Coco lost at Wimbledon. She was on the court with Pere Riba.”

The 36-year-old former tennis pro added, “Brad Gilbert came on the first day of Washington DC. And as I said, I’m not taking anything away from Brad. But I am saying Pere also had his way and he also had his footprints on it.”

Just like Gauff, Petkovic asserted how another WTA player has tasted success under the tutelage of the Spanish tennis coach.

Petkovic on how Riba had guided another tennis prodigy

Under the tutelage of the Spanish coach, the young Chinese tennis star Qinwen Zheng has also enjoyed a number of victories on the WTA Tour. Prior to their split this season, Riba helped the 21-year-old player rise from 169 WTA to 19 WTA.

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Emphasizing the same, Petkovic was recently singing the praise of Riba during her appearance at the podcast show. She said, “I know Pere Riba, I saw what he did with Qinwen Zheng. I know that his way of working on the forehand worked for Qinwen Zheng and I know it has worked on Coco Gauff as well.”

What do you think of Petkovic hailing Riba for his crucial role in the WTA player’s journeys on the tour? Let us know in the comments section. 

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