While Coco Gauff may have had a breakthrough campaign last year, things haven’t been going smoothly for her. Among the top stars in women’s tennis currently, much has been expected out of her. However, Gauff has been suffering from inconsistent performances following her US Open victory in 2023. In the recently concluded Australian Open, she bowed out of the tournament in the semifinal, losing against the eventual champion, Aryna Sabalenka. As Gauff suffers a dip in form, renowned coach Eric Riley pointed out a common weakness in her game.

Gauff has a strong support system in Brad Gilbert and Felipe Ramirez, but for one reason or another, she has constantly suffered from her weakness, affecting her performance. Here’s what Riley had to say about Gauff.

Eric Riley analyzes the game of Coco Gauff

Recently, renowned tennis coach, Eric Riley, joined the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast. During the conversation there, he opened up about his career, coaching some of the game’s top players. Additionally, he also discussed Gauff’s game. While he highlighted her talents, Riley had one suggestion for Gauff – improving her backhand.

Riley said, “Gilbert’s got Gauff. Okay. But I mean, that forehands got to get better, Coco’s got a chance to move to anyone well, on any surface play in particularly because she moves so well. And she’s gritty, you know, I’m saying.”

The American sensation’s weakness was clearly highlighted during her Australian Open campaign. While she got away with it in the earlier rounds, Aryna Sabalenka took advantage of Gauff’s weak forehand and prevailed over her in the semifinal.

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Moreover, this glaring weakness of Gauff has been much talked about in the tennis world. Last year, former world number 5 Jimmy Arias also pointed out Gauff’s inadequate forehand shots.

What did Arias say about Gauff?

During an interview in 2023, the former American tennis star analyzed the fault in Coco Gauff’s forehand. While Jimmy Arias felt that the young American could work on it from the technical aspect, the real challenge lay toward the mental side of things.

He said, “It’s going to be difficult because now it’s mental too. She hears about it all the time. So there is a combination of things that makes it more difficult.”

Nonetheless, it is something that Gauff and her team will work hard upon as she readies herself for some big tournaments coming up. Can Gauff overcome her weakness and find success in the upcoming tournaments? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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