Andy Roddick, the former world No. 1 and 2003 US Open champion, recently commented that Coco Gauff is in a “weird place” mentally as she approaches the 2025 French Open, following her loss to Jasmine Paolini in the Italian Open final on May 19, 2025. Roddick’s assessment, shared on his podcast *Served with Andy Roddick* and reported by Sportskeeda, stems from Gauff’s inconsistent season and the pressure of high expectations after her 2023 US Open triumph. Despite reaching the Italian Open final, where she fell 6-4, 7-5 to Paolini, Roddick noted that Gauff’s mindset appears unsettled due to her struggle to balance her aggressive playing style with the need for consistency on clay.
Roddick highlighted Gauff’s recent performances, pointing out that while she showed resilience in Rome—defeating top players like Iga Swiatek to reach the final—her inability to close out key matches, like the one against Paolini, reflects a mental tug-of-war. “She’s in a weird place because she’s so talented, but the expectations are sky-high, and she’s still figuring out how to manage that,” Roddick said. He suggested that Gauff’s aggressive shot-making, which has been a strength, sometimes leads to unforced errors under pressure, particularly on the slower clay surface where patience is key. This was evident in Rome, where Gauff’s 38 unforced errors cost her against Paolini’s steadier play.
Additionally, Roddick pointed to Gauff’s coaching situation as a potential factor. After parting ways with Brad Gilbert earlier in 2025, Gauff has been working with a new team, which may contribute to her transitional phase. “It’s tough to find your rhythm when you’re tweaking things mid-season,” he noted. Despite her strong clay-court pedigree—she reached the 2022 French Open final—Roddick believes Gauff’s current form and mental state make her a wildcard at Roland Garros.
Gauff’s season has seen highs, like her Madrid Open final run, but also setbacks, including early exits in other tournaments. Roddick’s comments echo sentiments on X, where fans have noted Gauff’s visible frustration on court. As she heads to Paris, Gauff faces the challenge of recalibrating her game and mindset to contend with top players like Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Paolini, who are peaking at the right time.[
