Despite Wide-Ranging Jibes Including One From Idol Serena Williams’ Ex-coach, Coco Gauff Issues Confident Answer to Shut Naysayers Over a Weaker Side to Her Game

Published 06/06/2023, 10:48 AM EDT

The weaknesses of Tennis players are what opponents aim at. Having one particular weakness from the debut is easy to play on and beat at. Coco Gauff is in the headlines for her weakness which was perceived to be expensive. She needs to be more dedicated toward her forehand shots, or opponents will continue to prey on her.

In a press conference before the 2023 French Open, the teenage star was asked to comment on her weakness. The American star’s response received a lot of backlash, and a section of people trolled her. For Gauff, this is not the first time to face such criticism.

Responses of Coco Gauff that created counterblast

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In Gauff’s recent match, she lost to Paula Badosa, who also commented on the teenager’s Forehand. Following the consecutive events of failed Forehand shots, a reporter asked the star player about a ‘minor technical tweak on the forehand side,’ Gauff replied, “Yeah, I mean, other people from the outside think that there is, and I’m sure, I mean, it’s something that I need to improve.”

While she agreed that her weakness lies in playing Forehand shots, she also told the reporter that she observed an improvement. Gauff stated, “I think the last couple of matches that I have just become more and more comfortable being aggressive on it. But I think really it’s more so something that I just have to continue to improve.”

Mary Joe Fernandez commented that the American sensation should take a 6-8 months break to improve her Forehand strokes. The teenage star confessed that she needs to work further on her Forehand technique, but she is now happy with it. She revealed that she can practice this during the offseason. Focusing on one shot while neglecting the others also affects her game negatively. However, this did not go well with the audience, who disagreed with her.

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Tennis enthusiasts did not observe the improvement in Gauff’s forehand like she had claimed, hence the trolling. Many experts and Tennis champions have also commented on Gauff’s Forehand.

Rick Macci backed and encouraged Gauff to do more

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Serena Williams’ childhood coach Macci took to his Twitter to assert his support for Gauff. He stated that Gauff’s forehand would become her best shot someday if she learned to outgrow her muscle reflexes of twelve years. While some fans reacted positively to his tweet and even asked him to assist her, some disapproved. Macci’s statement did not please some Twitterattis, and they blamed him for embarrassing the teenager on a public platform. Some even accused Gauff of not concentrating more on the game.

@cocogauff and her forehand will be addressed and will become her best shot someday. Needs time off with the exact biomechanical plan to reprogram the reflexes of 12 years and confuse the muscle memory. All the advice the past 5 years has been a band aid.
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) April 30, 2023

When Gauff was 17, legendary Martina Hingis commented on her play, saying that the teenager’s Western grip was amazing. Gauff’s free style of playing also inspired the 90s World Number One. Hingis opined that Gauff’s lower hand grip allows her to keep her aggressive game alive, which could be a contributing factor to her rapid growth.

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Positives or negatives, the immensely talented teenager is rocketing her way throughout the world of Tennis. Since she is young, there is more room for her to work on her weakness and emerge as one of the best talents Tennis has ever encountered.

WATCH THIS STORY: Distressing $45,000,000 Serena Williams Reality Leaves a Gaping Void That Looks Impossible For Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Others to Breach

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Written by:

Vadlamani Krishna Priya is a tennis writer at Essentially Sports. Pursuing her passion for storytelling, she has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Helped by her cousin who introduced her to the rules and regulations of the game during her childhood, Roger Federer matches became Priya's gateway to the world of tennis.

Edited by:

Bhavani Singh

Despite Wide-Ranging Jibes Including One From Idol Serena Williams’ Ex-coach, Coco Gauff Issues Confident Answer to Shut Naysayers Over a Weaker Side to Her Game

Responses of Coco Gauff that created counterblast

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Rick Macci backed and encouraged Gauff to do more