Coco Gauff’s WTA Finals title defense came to a disappointing end after a straight-sets loss to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, reigniting concerns over her persistent serving issues. Despite recent coaching changes aimed at improving her game, Gauff once again struggled to find rhythm on serve — an area that continues to hold her back on the biggest stages.
Gauff’s struggles continue in WTA Finals exit
After a rocky start to her campaign, Gauff’s journey in the WTA Finals was always going to be uphill. The American began with a tough defeat to compatriot Jessica Pegula, a match in which she recorded an alarming 17 double faults, effectively handing away key points.
Though she rebounded impressively against Jasmine Paolini, keeping her qualification hopes alive, Pegula’s victory over Paolini meant Gauff would need to beat Sabalenka in straight sets to stay in contention.
However, against a composed and confident Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff couldn’t maintain consistency, eventually falling 7-6(5), 6-2, and bowing out of the tournament. While her serve showed slight improvement compared to her opening match, it remained far from the level required to compete with the world’s best.
Henman questions Coco Gauff’s serving progress
In the aftermath of the loss, former world No. 4 Tim Henman raised concerns about Gauff’s ongoing serving struggles despite her decision to hire Sabalenka’s former serving coach earlier this year. Speaking to Sky Sports, Henman drew a sharp contrast between the two players’ mental approach under pressure.
“The reality is that she [Sabalenka] has been in these toughest situations in the biggest tournaments and she has come out on top a lot. I think that winning breeds more confidence and she doesn’t second guess herself,” Henman said.
He further explained that Aryna Sabalenka’s transformation came through learning to handle her serve issues, something Coco Gauff is still grappling with.
“The fact that she had issues with her second serve and she was the one who came up with solutions, I think now when it does get tight she does have the clarity of thought, whereas others can be questioned. That’s the problem with Gauff. She is having to concentrate so hard on her serve that it does reflect into other parts of her game.”
Henman’s remarks underline a growing sentiment within the tennis world — that while Gauff’s athleticism and determination are undeniable, her serve remains a vulnerability that top players continue to exploit.
Robson praises Sabalenka’s competitive edge
Former British No. 1 Laura Robson, who joined Henman in analyzing the match, praised Sabalenka’s ability to thrive under pressure — a stark contrast to Coco Gauff’s visible tension during crucial points.
“I just love that she loves the competition,” Robson said. “It gets tight and the scoreline gets a little dicey at times and you see her literally lock in, in the moment and step up to the line… once the point starts she just switches it on.”
Robson emphasized that Aryna Sabalenka’s composure in high-pressure moments has been key to her dominance, while Gauff is still learning to navigate those same situations with confidence.