Coco Gauff will be left hugely disappointed with the manner of her Wimbledon exit, a straight-sets defeat to compatriot Emma Navarro.
Whilst the 23-year-old is enjoying a standout 2024, this was a huge chance for the US number one to take her chance and finally reach the quarter-finals of the only Grand Slam in which she hasn’t found that stage.
She is one of the best players in the world, yet just went missing on the day as the world number 19 dispatched her with ease.
Many have since debated what exactly went wrong for Gauff.
John McEnroe clashes with Coco Gauff’s coach
Speaking to ESPN after his pupil’s Wimbledon exit, coach Brad Gilbert was honest and open about what went wrong on the day for the 20-year-old.
However, John McEnroe was not happy to just let him enjoy a free ride, scrutinising a few tactical decisions made just after Coco Gauff had questioned her coach after the match.
Gilbert first started about the first serve percentage:’ She was about 56/57% for the first three matches, but winning a high percentage of the points. In the mid-eighties. Yesterday it was around the same percentage but her winning percentage was in the high sixties.
‘So Emma’s court position was a bit of a factor, and then also she hurt her on the second serve return.’
McEnroe replied with a question: ‘Shouldn’t she go up to like 70%, back off a little?’
The 62-year-old disagreed: ‘You know what? I actually learned this from coaching Andy Murray when he had a low percentage.
‘He says ‘If I make 70% of my first serves but I only win 60% of the first serve points, it’s way better that I make 50% of my first serves going big and win 80-85% of the points so there is that fine line.’
However, before he could continue, McEnroe interjected again to poke fun at his comments, claiming: ‘Sounds like a guy shooting threes in the NBA.’
Gilbert continued, unbothered: ‘There is a fine line rather than if you spin your serves in.’
‘I didn’t say spin it. I’m talking about 85-90%,’ McEnroe returned, before Gilbert offered a conclusion to the clash: ‘Obviously the first serve percentage needs to get a little bit better and it will, but I don’t like throttling back. Not when you can hurt players with your serve going in.’
Coco Gauff misses massive Wimbledon opportunity
Given how wide-open the field is at Wimbledon this year, particularly on the women’s side, Gauff can’t help but view this as a golden opportunity spurned.
Especially considering she faced Navarro, a tough competitor, but someone who she sits above in the WTA rankings, had already beaten once in 2024, and before Sunday had actually never lost to.
As the world number two, Iga Swiatek‘s exit made her the top seed left in the draw. And with Aryna Sabalenka having pulled out of Wimbledon injured, it was hers for the taking.
Now, Elena Rybakina will be licking her lips at the prospect of another title.
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