“It affects your game more”: Rennae Stubbs reveals why Coco Gauff likely to struggle in her career
“It Affects Your Game More”: Rennae Stubbs Explains Why Coco Gauff Could Face Career Struggles
Former world No. 1 doubles player and tennis analyst Rennae Stubbs has expressed concerns about Coco Gauff’s long-term success, citing technical flaws that could pose challenges throughout her career.
Speaking on the “Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast,” the former Australian pro highlighted how weaknesses in a player’s game—especially at the highest level—can be repeatedly exposed. In Gauff’s case, Stubbs pointed to her forehand as a potential stumbling block.
“When you have technical issues in your game, especially on one side, it affects you more than people realize,” Stubbs explained. “At this level, opponents will target that weakness over and over again, making it much harder to sustain success.”
Gauff, who won her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, has already proven herself as one of the sport’s rising stars. At just 20 years old, she has reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world and is widely regarded as a future multiple-time major champion. However, her forehand mechanics—which some critics describe as inconsistent and vulnerable under pressure—remain a concern.
Stubbs acknowledged that Gauff has worked hard to improve this area of her game but stressed that technical inefficiencies can become more difficult to correct as a player progresses through their career. “It’s not just about fixing a shot in practice,” Stubbs said. “It’s about trusting it under pressure, in the biggest moments of matches.”
Despite these concerns, Stubbs also praised Gauff’s mental strength, athleticism, and competitive spirit, which have already helped her overcome challenges. “She’s an incredible athlete, one of the best movers on tour, and mentally, she fights like crazy. That alone has won her so many matches,” she added.
With the clay and grass court seasons approaching, Gauff will have the opportunity to fine-tune her game as she aims to build on her US Open success. She is set to compete at the Miami Open, where she will look to gain momentum before heading into the European swing.
While some believe Gauff has the potential to dominate women’s tennis, Stubbs’ analysis serves as a reminder that technical weaknesses—if not properly addressed—can limit even the most gifted players.
