Former No. 1 Henin on Coco’s Disaster

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, September 3, 2025Photo credit score: Jed Jacobsohn/ROLEX

NEW YORK—Coco Gauff’s identification disaster goes deeper than her serve, says a former world No. 1.

Days earlier than the US Open started, Gauff employed biomechanical coach Gavin MacMillan, who helped reconstruct Aryna Sabalenka’s serve, in an effort to repair her wayward serve.

Former world No. 1 Justine Henin stated a lot focus has been on Gauff’s revised service movement, many are lacking an much more obvious vulnerability: the reigning Roland Garros champion’s western-grip forehand.

Talking on Eurosport after Naomi Osaka thumped Gauff 6-3, 6-2 within the US Open fourth spherical, Henin referred to as Gauff’s forehand “catastrophic.”

“Osaka did what she needed to do by additionally taking part in along with her expertise,” Henin instructed Eurosport. “She didn’t need to pressure her expertise right now both, exhibiting solidity and being current.

“We felt from the beginning of the match that Coco Gauff had fallen again into her outdated methods, not particularly by way of her serve however by way of her forehand, it was catastrophic.

“Clearly, this huge strain on the US Open is particular for her, however I nonetheless suppose total, over the entire season, and never a lot on the outcomes, what worries me is the shortage of evolution in her sport. At that age, you’re nonetheless progressing, you’re nonetheless creating.”

To be truthful, Gauff and MacMillan labored collectively for a few week earlier than this US Open started. Clearly, her serve and forehand are each works in progress.

Reigning Roland Garros champion Gauff stated after her loss to Osaka, she felt her serve was sharper, however conceded her groundstrokes let her down as Osaka repeatedly pounded away at her forehand, which lacked web clearance and depth.

In a rematch of US Open champions, a pointy Osaka shredded a sloppy Gauff, who conceded she felt “a bit of bit empty” on court docket right now.

“Naomi performed properly. Right now was, like, disappointing, as a result of I felt it was the most effective I served alltournament. A number of aces,” stated Gauff, who matched Osaka with three aces. “Yeah, there have been somedoubles, however I assumed, like, that was a great efficiency from me serving.

“Off the bottom I feel I simply made method too many errors, method too many errors, which I really feel like that’s the a part of my sport that I felt essentially the most assured in coming into the event. So it was sort of a bizarre match, like, feeling assured in several areas swapping.

“Yeah, I imply, it’s disappointing. For positive it was not the extent that I wished to carry, however it’s a step in the correct course I really feel, and I feel emotionally how a lot this week was, I feel right now I simply stepped in, and I possibly was a bit of bit empty. She compelled me to earn each level on the market right now.”

To make certain, Gauff and MacMillan nonetheless have lots of work forward, however Gauff has already gained a Slam this season and is reigning WTA Finals champion, all on the age of 21 so time is on her facet as she goals to develop her sport.

“I feel right now after I walked on the court docket — and, I don’t know, I really feel like I put a lot strain on myself at my age at 21, and I understand how a lot the ladies on tour are being profitable at 25, 26, at these ages,” Gauff stated. “For me it simply will get me excited to understand if I’ve 4 extra years of simply working as arduous as I’m proper now and truly doing the correct issues, like the place my sport might be.”