Coco Gauff’s game continues to show areas that need work, something highlighted again during her recent win at the Italian Open.
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Gauff has long struggled with her serve and forehand, and those issues haven’t gone away this season.
She had to rally from a set down against Solana Sierra before coming through in three sets, another match where those weaknesses were noticeable.
This time, though, there was something else that stood out. Some fans are starting to think there’s an even bigger issue developing in her game than what we’ve seen before.
Tennis fans raise footwork concerns after Gauff’s latest victory
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty ImagesGauff is known for her speed and athletic ability, which has played a big part in her rise to the top of the sport. But in the aftermath of her latest win over Sierra, it was her footwork that came under fire from fans, who posted clips online highlighting what they felt were clear issues.
“Just shockingly poor footwork for a player of her calibre. I’ll die on the hill that of all the problems in her game and that’s the biggest one. It’s hard to believe it hasn’t been fixed all these years,” one fan posted, kicking off a wider discussion.
Others joined in, suggesting that Gauff’s forehand troubles are closely linked to how she moves around the court.
“I always say that. She has really bad footwork. Her forehand problems are mainly because of that. She often hits on the back foot or falling to the side,” another commented.
Another replied: “It’s hard to change the way you have been moving all your life…and judging from the fact she refuses to change her forehand (in my opinion easier to change), she will never change her footwork.”
A different account added: “I’m not even sure she can hit a forehand with both feet on the ground. So many errors caused because of it…”
Another added: “Yeah her footwork is a big issue. The leg in the air, she’s almost always off balance on her forehand, no wonder she can’t get good racket head speed.”
The conversation didn’t stop there though as more fans jumped into what has quickly become one of social media’s hot topics within tennis circles.
Despite these ongoing conversations about holes in Gauff’s technique, she continues finding ways to win matches and now sits just four wins away from lifting an Italian Open title.
Coco Gauff’s seeding for the French Open
Gauff goes into this year’s French Open as the defending champion, having also reached the final of last year’s Italian Open.
With plenty of ranking points to defend from last season, she heads into Rome under added pressure to perform.
Currently ranked world number four, Gauff could drop down if Jessica Pegula overtakes her.
If that happens, it could have a big impact on her draw in Paris. Losing that spot means she might face Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina as early as the quarterfinals instead of the semifinals.
To hold onto her ranking, Gauff needs to at least equal Pegula’s result in Rome. Both players are through to the fourth round, where Gauff faces teenage compatriot Iva Jovic for the first time, and Pegula plays in-form qualifier Anastasia Potapova.
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