Former American ATP star Andy Roddick has made a bold prediction about Coco Gauff’s prospects at the 2025 French Open, following her impressive yet ultimately unsuccessful clay-court campaign at the Italian Open, where she lost to Jasmine Paolini in the final on May 19, 2025. Roddick, speaking on his podcast *Served with Andy Roddick* and cited by EssentiallySports, noted that Gauff “struggled” with consistency and mental composure, particularly in high-pressure moments, but her performance in Rome signals her potential to go deep at Roland Garros. “She’s got the tools to win it,” Roddick said, predicting that Gauff could reach at least the semifinals, if not contend for the title, given her clay-court pedigree.[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/wta-tennis-news-she-struggled-coco-gauffs-clay-charge-triggers-bold-french-open-prediction-from-ex-pro/)
Gauff’s run in Rome, where she defeated top players like Iga Swiatek before falling 6-4, 7-5 to Paolini, showcased her aggressive baseline game and improved movement on clay. However, Roddick pointed to her 38 unforced errors in the final as evidence of her ongoing struggle to balance aggression with precision, a challenge exacerbated by her recent coaching changes after parting with Brad Gilbert. “She struggled to find that sweet spot, but when she’s on, she’s as dangerous as anyone,” he noted. Roddick believes that Gauff’s experience reaching the 2022 French Open final, combined with her recent form, positions her to overcome these hurdles.
The prediction aligns with Gauff’s clay-court potential, as she thrives on the surface’s slower pace, which suits her defensive skills and topspin-heavy forehand. Roddick emphasized her mental resilience, despite describing her current state as a “weird place” due to the pressure of expectations post her 2023 US Open win. X posts from fans echoed this sentiment, with some praising her Rome performance as a sign of growth, while others noted her visible frustration as a concern. With rivals like Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Paolini peaking, Roddick’s bold call hinges on Gauff refining her game under her new coaching setup to capitalize on her clay-court strengths at the French Open.
