Coco Gauff’s resilience has long defined her rise on the WTA Tour, but cracks in her game were laid bare during her Dubai Open semifinal against Elina Svitolina. In a rare and emotional moment, the 21-year-old openly questioned the progress of her technical adjustments, revealing the mounting frustration behind her composed exterior.
Technical struggles continue to haunt Gauff
Despite remaining one of tennis’ most popular and promising stars, Coco Gauff has endured a challenging stretch. Persistent issues with her serve and forehand have hindered her ability to dominate against elite opposition. While her competitive spirit continues to grind out victories, the technical flaws have repeatedly surfaced at critical junctures.
The semifinal in Dubai proved to be another painful reminder. A double fault at a pivotal stage triggered a visible reaction from the American, who turned toward her coaching box in exasperation.
“I’ve been doing everything you’ve wanted for the last 6 months, and it’s not getting any better.”
The outburst captured the emotional toll of months of technical rebuilding that have yet to yield consistent results.
Coaching changes yet to deliver results
In September last year, Gauff brought biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan into her coaching team, aiming to fully reconstruct her serve and forehand mechanics. The move was seen as a proactive step toward long-term dominance, with expectations that a refined technique would elevate her from contender to consistent title threat.
However, the ongoing struggles suggest the transformation remains incomplete. Against a composed and experienced Svitolina, Coco Gauff’s vulnerabilities were exposed once again, particularly under pressure.
While her fighting mentality remains unquestioned, the gap between effort and outcome is clearly testing her patience. Her candid remark in Dubai underscores the reality that progress at the highest level of tennis is rarely linear — and even the sport’s brightest young stars must navigate turbulent phases.
A defining period ahead
For Gauff, this stretch could prove pivotal. The foundation is there — athleticism, mental toughness, and experience beyond her years. But until the mechanical inconsistencies are fully addressed, the frustration voiced in Dubai may continue to echo.
How quickly those adjustments translate into tangible improvement could determine the trajectory of her 2026 campaign.