Coco Gauff recently secured the WTA Finals title, but her revival has just begun. After teaming up with coach Matt Daly in September, she has had an amazing run. Her comeback during the Asian swing was remarkable, culminating in a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) win at the China Open against Qinwen Zheng. This victory made her the youngest American to win the title since Serena Williams in 2001. Gauff is clearly on cloud nine and elated for proving her critics wrong.

Despite her triumphs, Gauff has been under scrutiny on social media for her performances earlier this season. In a post-match chat on the WTA Insider Podcast, she revealed what motivated her comeback. Reflecting on her journey, she recalled seeing headlines like “Gauff’s Slump Summer” after a tough loss in Cincinnati.

However, she made a huge comeback with her win at the China Open against Karolina Muchova, winning the match 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 and qualifying for the WTA Finals in Riyadh. Now with the title in her hands, she confidently stated, “I’m the author of my own story, and I’m not going to let anybody write me off.” Now, she joins Iga Swiatek as one of the only active players under 30 to have won at every level.

The path to this title was not easy. Gauff faced criticism about her season, with some labeling it a “Flop era.” She admitted, “I looked at that and I was just like, ‘Dang, I have to turn it around somehow.'” This pressure weighed heavily on her. Especially after parting ways with former coach Brad Gilbert, Gauff had to rebuild with a new trainer who has helped elevate her game.

However, the criticism gave her the push she needed. Now after winning in Riyadh, she tweeted on November 10th, “lol safe to say I beat the bad season allegations 😭🫣.”

Winning the WTA Finals, Coco Gauff acknowledged that the pressure pushed her to perform better. As she put it, “For me, it was just motivation.” Now, she eagerly looks ahead to the 2025 season with coach Matt Daly. Critics have recognized Daly’s positive impact on Gauff’s performance, including former Wimbledon champion Andy Roddick.

Roddick applauds Gauff’s improvement in the last couple of weeks

Coco Gauff not only won the China Open title but also reached the semifinals in Wuhan, defeating top players like Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek along the way. On November 5th, Roddick expressed his joy at her resurgence, “We’re talking about Coco Gauff. I want to give credit where credit’s due because the loss at the US Open and dealing with a lot of things created a bit of momentum,” he said, noting that her game has improved significantly since teaming up with coach Matt Daly, “I think Coco looks actually great post-US Open.”

Roddick felt that at the US Open, Gauff was struggling with the pressure to defend her title, but with the pressure not there anymore, she found her rhythm again in the Asian Swing and at the WTA Finals. Roddick praised her improvements in serving, stating that while she still had issues with the double faults, the overall consistency had increased.

“One thing I have noticed is that her serve looks way better. I know she double-faulted some, but the grip is better. If I can do it on my iPhone, then you can see it all,” the former American Open champion noted. Roddick emphasized that Gauff’s grip technique is making a noticeable difference in her performance.

He expressed confidence in Daly’s coaching abilities, suggesting that Gauff should stick with him moving forward. The change in coaching staff seems to have energized Gauff’s game. Roddick pointed out that she appears to have “a little bit more energy” since parting ways with Brad Gilbert. “This was a massive rebound for her that was needed for this season,” he added, highlighting how crucial this shift has been as she navigates through challenges and builds momentum.

Despite facing criticism earlier in the season for her performance—culminating in 19 double faults at the French Open—Gauff has bounced back with newfound confidence. With a strong finish to the year, Gauff is proving that she has what it takes to shine on the WTA Tour. As she heads into 2025, can she maintain this upward trajectory under Daly’s guidance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!