Rick Macci, Serena Williams’ childhood coach, remains confident in Coco Gauff’s potential, asserting that she has what it takes to reach and sustain the world No. 1 ranking. Despite an early exit from the Australian Open last month, the Hall of Famer believes the 20-year-old American star will bounce back stronger. Gauff, the reigning 2024 WTA Finals champion, seems determined to move past her disappointment in Melbourne. After taking some time off with family in Florida, she is gearing up for her return to the court. But where will she play next?
The 2023 US Open champion provided a glimpse of her upcoming schedule via Instagram on Friday, posting a story from her flight and sharing an update from Qatar. Currently ranked World No. 3, Gauff has arrived in Doha to compete in the Qatar Open in February. Her Middle East tour doesn’t stop there, as she is also set to play in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, marking back-to-back WTA 1000-level tournaments.
Gauff’s return to competition comes after a quarterfinal loss at the Australian Open, where she faced Spain’s Paula Badosa. Despite her strong start in the tournament, she struggled to maintain consistency, ultimately falling 7-5, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena. However, Gauff isn’t dwelling on the setback. Instead, she remains optimistic about her season ahead.
Reflecting on her Australian Open run, Gauff maintained her confidence. “I’m not crushed, but obviously it does feel bad when you feel like you’re playing great tennis for the better part of this year and then lose, but it is what it is,” she shared in an interview with the WTA on January 21. She emphasized the importance of playing aggressively, stating, “I have to be aggressive. I feel like that’s when I’m playing my best. That’s how I won most of my matches over the last few months.”
Rather than focusing on the loss, Gauff is taking away positives from her experience. “There are a lot of things to be proud of, a lot of things to look forward to,” she said, adding that she hopes to improve in the coming seasons. “We’ll get back to work.”
As Gauff prepares for the Middle East swing, fans eagerly anticipate her return to dominant form. While her first-round opponent at the Qatar Open has yet to be confirmed, she will look to improve on last year’s performance, where she exited in the opening round against Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova in straight sets.
Can Coco Gauff claim a title in the upcoming tournaments? Share your thoughts below.
