What Coco Gauff simply must do better if she wants to win a second Grand Slam title after shock Australian Open exit
Coco Gauff will now set her sights on the French Open as she continues her quest for a second Grand Slam title following a surprising exit at the Australian Open.
After her quarter-final match, Gauff graciously congratulated Paula Badosa, who defeated the American in straight sets. Gauff, the third seed in Melbourne, lost 7-5, 6-4 to the 11th-seeded Spaniard at Rod Laver Arena.
Despite the disappointment, former tennis pro Sam Querrey remains confident in Gauff’s ability to win another major. At just 19, Gauff claimed her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, becoming the first American teenager to win the event since Serena Williams did in 1999, following in the footsteps of the tennis legend.
However, Gauff’s bid to add another major to her resume was hindered once again by struggles with her serve, an area that has proven to be a challenge throughout the tournament. Her service issues, particularly her frequent double faults, have been a focal point for her and her coach, Matt Daly.
In Melbourne, Gauff’s double faults were notably high, starting with nine against Sofia Kenin, who committed none. She followed up with seven against Jodie Burrage, and four against Leylah Fernandez, whose double fault totals were six and three, respectively.
The pattern continued through the rounds, with Gauff hitting nine double faults in her fourth-round match against Belinda Bencic, compared to Bencic’s one. Though Gauff managed to win these earlier rounds, the six double faults in her quarter-final against Badosa proved costly, as the Spaniard made only two.
| Round | Opponent | Double faults |
|---|---|---|
| One | Sofia Kenin | 9 |
| Two | Jodie Burrage | 7 |
| Three | Leylah Fernandez | 4 |
| Four | Belinda Bencic | 9 |
| Quarter-final | Paula Badosa | 6 |
Gauff’s issue with double faults is well-documented. She led the WTA in double faults in 2024 with 430 and already tops the chart in 2025 with 58. Even in her 2024 US Open loss to Emma Navarro, Gauff recorded a staggering 19 double faults, and she had 17 in her 2024 Indian Wells quarter-final victory over Yue Yuan.
Despite her service woes, it’s important to remember that Gauff is just 20 years old and has already achieved significant success in her career. With nine WTA titles, including her US Open triumph, she continues to build on her potential. After her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Swiatek, Gauff rebounded by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open final and went on to capture the WTA Finals trophy last year.
Currently ranked third in the WTA, Gauff is already a tennis superstar and has plenty of time to refine her game. Focusing on improving her serve and reducing double faults will be key to her future success, and as she matures, the sky is the limit for the young American star.
