Coco Gauff is certainly one of the most talented players on the WTA tour, but she has not yet been able to fully express her potential. At the beginning of her career, many fans and insiders were convinced that the American player was destined to become world number 1 in a short time and win several Grand Slam titles.
ADVERTISEMENT
The most optimistic analysts even thought that Cori would take up the legacy of two authentic legends of the sport such as Serena and Venus Williams. A few years later, it can be said with great honesty that those predictions were wrong.
Gauff is a very consistent player, who will remain in the top positions of the WTA ranking for a long time, but she does not seem destined to make tennis history. The American has gone through a season with many ups and downs, in which she has shown that she has not yet found the right path for an entire year.
Coco was world No. 2 during the summer, before a drop that relegated her to sixth place in the WTA ranking due to disappointing results in Cincinnati and especially at the US Open. Gauff returned to play her best tennis in the latter part of 2024, in which she won the China Open and WTA Finals to end the year in third place behind Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gauff is very ambitious
The feeling is that Gauff needs new solutions if she wants to overtake Sabalenka and Swiatek in the WTA ranking, which is why she is working hard during the pre-season to be ready for early 2025.
The Australian Open will be a very important test for the 20-year-old American: she still has time to add new weapons to her arsenal and must learn to better handle the pressure in the most prestigious tournaments on the calendar.
On the latest edition of the Tennis Channel Live podcast, American ace Chris Eubanks opened up on Gauffs current status: Weve seen so much greatness from her at such a young age, I think its safe to say that she will become world number one. I think although its a big points deficit, I think she can do it next year.
He continued: Not just because of what Ive seen from her at the end of last year at the WTA Finals, having to go through a gauntlet in order to take that title, but also look at history here.
ADVERTISEMENT
Her highest ranking in 2021 was 19, in 2022 it was 4 in the world, in 2023 it was 3 in the world, and in 2024 it was 2 in the world.
Its trending towards progress each and every year. This year was number two, theres only one place to go from there.
Coco is ready for the 2025 season
Coco's talent is not in question, but some details need to be improved to become a full-fledged champion. The young American will be one of the most anticipated players at the next Australian Open, which will take place at Melbourne Park from 12 to 26 January.
Cori will have to be very consistent in the next season and focus his preparation on the most prestigious tournaments, where he has the opportunity to make the history of this sport. Gauff has changed some members of her team over the past year and the change takes time to produce the desired results, but the victories achieved in the latter part of 2024 will certainly help her for the future.
ADVERTISEMENT
Recently, WTA legend Rennae Stubbs talked about Gauffs chances in 2025: Looking at the training schedule right now of Coco Gauff on Instagram she is putting in the work.
I think after the way she finished the way she did that is going to be really interesting to see. I do believe she has absolutely put her hands up to be one of the favorites for the Australian Open.
Sabalenka and Swiatek won't be Coco's only rivals in 2025, as a huge surprise has emerged this year. The reference is to Jasmine Paolini, who left everyone speechless in 2024 with sensational results. The Italian player reached the final at both the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships and won the title in Dubai (reaching fourth position in the WTA ranking).
ADVERTISEMENT
I think she understands she probably has a window of about three or four years to really capitalise on her age, her experience, and how well she plays, Stubbs stated.
It gets harder when you get to your mid-30s. She is at an age right now where she is 28 and is really starting to be in her prime. I think she will be in the top 10 for sure throughout the entire year next year she concluded.
