**Hidden Threat Looms Over Coco Gauff’s Clay Streak as Ex-Pro Raises French Open Draw Concerns**
Coco Gauff, the World No. 2 and 2022 French Open finalist, faces a potential hurdle at the 2025 Roland Garros, starting May 25, despite her impressive clay season. Former pro and Tennis Channel analyst Lindsay Davenport has highlighted a “hidden threat” in Gauff’s draw, pointing to her serve vulnerabilities and a challenging path as significant concerns, per EssentiallySports.com. Gauff’s recent 6-4, 6-2 loss to Jasmine Paolini in the Italian Open final on May 17, coupled with her Madrid final defeat to Iga Swiatek, exposed ongoing issues, particularly with her serve, which produced 28 unforced errors and double faults in Rome, per ESPN.
Davenport noted that Gauff’s draw could include early tests against players like No. 15 seed Daria Kasatkina or rising star Mirra Andreeva, both capable of exploiting her inconsistent second serve, which has a 47% win rate on clay in 2025, per wtatennis.com. A potential quarterfinal against No. 8 seed Ons Jabeur, who thrives on clay with her spin-heavy game, looms large, per Tennis.com. Posts on X, like @ExpressUSSport, flagged Gauff’s serve as “very concerning,” echoing Davenport’s warning that top seeds like Swiatek (+160 odds) or Aryna Sabalenka (+225) could capitalize in later rounds, per Oddspedia.
Despite these concerns, Gauff remains optimistic, citing her No. 2 seeding and Andy Roddick’s quirky forehand advice—“throw the racquet at the ball”—as confidence boosters, per EssentiallySports.com. Her 14-3 clay record this season, including a 2018 junior Roland Garros title, underscores her potential, per @WTA on X. However, Davenport’s caution about Gauff’s draw and serve fragility suggests that addressing these weaknesses will be crucial to sustaining her clay streak and contending for her first French Open title.[]
