Coco Gauff has revealed what she would like to change in tennis. Earlier, Novak Djokovic was in the headlines for his suggestions, and now the American tennis star has questioned the scoring system.
Speaking of the sport's format, the three-time Grand Slam champion called for 15-30-45 instead of 15-30-40. The former US Open champion has sparked debate by criticising one of tennis’s oldest traditions: its unique scoring system.
Tennis star Coco Gauff reveals what she would change about tennis
Speaking in a press conference after her semifinal victory over Sorana Cirstea at the 2026 Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, the American player said she finds the progression from 15 to 30 to 40 illogical and difficult to explain to newcomers. She said:
“The way the games are 15-Love, 30-Love.”
Gauff added:
“That doesn’t make any sense to me. It’s so hard to explain that to people.”
Gauff further told the reporters:
“It’s 15, 30, but it goes to 40. Why? At least make it incrementally. It should be 45, not 40.”
Gauff acknowledged the drama of the current system, noting that matches are “literally not over until it’s over,” but suggested a more sequential approach would be clearer. The comments, which circulated widely online, prompted mixed reactions. Some fans agreed the system can confuse casual viewers, while others defended its history and uniqueness.
Tennis scoring is widely believed to have originated from clock faces used in early forms of the game, advancing in 15-minute increments (15, 30, 45, 60). Over time, 45 was shortened to 40, possibly for ease of announcement, especially in French (“quarante” rather than “quarante-cinq”), and to better accommodate the deuce and advantage rules that require a two-point margin.
Gauff went on to reach the Rome final, underlining her strong form on clay that season. It is unlikely that her suggestion will gain any traction, as traditional scoring is a defining and much-loved feature of the sport for most players and fans. Meanwhile, she is currently set to face Belinda Bencic in the quarterfinals of the Toronto Open.
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