The American teen sensation, Coco Gauff had recently lost in the first round of Wimbledon 2023, the same tournament where four years ago as a 15-year-old prodigy she made a dream run to the round of sixteen. In the world of professional tennis, the current world no. 7 rise to stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Guided by her devoted father, Corey Gauff, Coco embarked on her tennis journey with his unwavering support. However, as she faced tougher challenges and sought to elevate her game, Coco realized the need for additional expertise. Enter Pere Riba, a 35-year-old former Spanish player who seamlessly transitioned into coaching after being a top-100 tour player.
This fresh addition to her coaching team sets the stage for her future journey from good to great. After the debacle at Wimbledon this year, she is determined to prove her mettle to tennis aficionados. In her quest to win her first Grand Slam at the US Open, she will be playing in a series of North American tournaments. She is kick-starting her American swing with the City Open in Washington DC this week.
What the partnership with her new coach will bring forth?
Coco’s desire for a new coach in Pere Riba is not a reflection of any shortcomings on her father’s part. However, in the pressure-laden world of professional tennis, it is essential for the 19-year-old to find the perfect balance between her father’s role as a mentor and as her dad.
A recent win over 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in an exhilarating exhibition match in Atlanta shows that her partnership with Pere Riba has started to bear fruit. An aggressive style of play will be the duo’s new modus-operandi to take her arch-rivals head-on.
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Under Riba’s guidance, Coco sets her sights on transforming her forehand from a defensive bailout shot to an offensive asset. Coco’s focus on her serve and the first shot of a rally becomes paramount to her success. This was also evident from her Wimbledon experience as per her new coach. It has taught her the importance of seizing control and dictating match play.
This style of play will bring her success against some of the top-ranked players, which has been missing of late. She had tamely lost to Iga Swiatek when she reached her first Grand Slam final at the French Open last year. As she hones her game under her new coach, she will also work on her mental approach and adopt a more positive mindset, focusing on her style of play rather than just being consumed by results.
As Gauff’s coaching journey continues to unfold, it is just a matter of time before her game will elevate to a new level, making it very tough for her opponents. Let’s hope that she fulfills all her dreams!