Coco Gauff’s ‘transformation’ hailed ahead of Australian Open as John McEnroe gives his verdict
Former British No 1 Laura Robson thinks Coco Gauff “looks incredibly confident” ahead of the 2025 Australian Open as she assessed that the American star has “transformed her game.”
Gauff made a perfect start to her campaign by inspiring the United States to win the United Cup with some outstanding performances.
The world No 3 did not drop a set in the five singles matches and two doubles ties she played in the team competition in Perth and Sydney.
The standout win was Gauff’s 6-4, 6-4 victory over world No 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the final against Poland.
It was Gauff’s second successive triumph against the 23-year-old Pole, who she also downed at the WTA Finals in November.
After the United Cup final, Gauff looked ahead to the Australian Open, where she will aim to win her second Grand Slam title.
“I mean, honestly before every Grand Slam, I have the belief that I can win, and especially after US Open [in 2023], I proved that I could do it. I definitely have belief that I can win,” the 20-year-old said.
“Obviously this start of the season gives me a lot of confidence. I feel like when I’m playing confident tennis I’m playing great tennis. I definitely feel confident going into AO.”
Australian Open News
Speaking to Eurosport, Robson highlighted the improvement of Gauff’s forehand and declared that the 2023 US Open winner is once again among the leading contenders for majors.
“She already looks incredibly confident,” the former world No 27 said.
“The match against Swiatek, she was going into it losing the head-to-head 11-2 and there’s been times where you thought that’s just a terrible matchup for her and she’s got absolutely no chance, but she’s transformed her game over the last few months.
“With the forehand, it’s not breaking down like it used to and it doesn’t feel like a weakness anymore, and she’s so hard to pass because her movement is the best in a game.
“I would say that Coco’s all of a sudden, from where she was in the summer at the US Open, a completely different player and now among the favourites for a Slam title again.”
Tennis legend John McEnroe, a commentator for ESPN, shared his thoughts on Gauff heading into the hard-court Grand Slam.
“Coco seems to be sort of getting her mojo back and playing as well as she played, or close to it, as when she won the [US] Open [in 2023],” the seven-time major singles champion said.
Gauff will face 2020 Australian Open winner and world No 81 Sofia Kenin in the first round in Melbourne.
