Lindsay Davenport, a three-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, expressed awe at Coco Gauff’s remarkable ability to secure victories despite subpar performances, calling it “unbelievable” during a Tennis Channel Live Podcast discussion following Gauff’s grueling second-round match at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal. Gauff, the world No. 2, battled past compatriot Danielle Collins in a three-set thriller (7-5, 4-6, 7-6) on July 29, 2025, despite committing 23 double faults and 74 unforced errors. Davenport highlighted Gauff’s mental fortitude, stating, “Her ability to find a way to win while playing C-level tennis is incredible. She did a fantastic job managing her emotions.”
Davenport noted Gauff’s serving struggles, observing, “It was interesting she kept looking down at her grip when she was serving. It looked like they were trying to make some changes with the serve. She was not comfortable with it yet. Her toss was all over the place.” Despite these technical issues, Gauff’s capacity to prevail under pressure stood out, particularly as she leads the WTA in double faults for 2025. This resilience was evident in her ability to outlast Collins, a former Australian Open finalist, in a match marked by inconsistency but defined by Gauff’s clutch performance in the third-set tiebreak.
Gauff’s Montreal run follows her 2025 French Open title, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka, a victory Davenport previously praised for Gauff’s tactical brilliance. In Paris, Gauff’s “perfect game plan” flustered Sabalenka with consistent play outside her strike zone, leading to 70 unforced errors from the Belarusian. However, her first-round Wimbledon exit to Dayana Yastremska (7-6, 6-1) in July 2025, which Gauff attributed to mental overload post-Roland Garros, highlighted ongoing challenges. Davenport’s earlier predictions about Gauff’s potential, made in 2019 after her breakout Wimbledon win over Venus Williams at age 15, have proven prescient. “She’s going to win many,” Davenport said then, a forecast validated by Gauff’s 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open titles.
At 21, Gauff remains a cornerstone of American tennis, with her Montreal performance reinforcing her ability to grind out wins despite technical flaws. Advancing to face Veronika Kudermetova in the third round, Gauff’s emotional management and competitive spirit continue to draw praise. Davenport’s admiration underscores Gauff’s unique knack for turning “C-level” play into victories, a trait that keeps her among the WTA’s elite as she eyes further success at the upcoming US Open.
