Mats Wilander highlights two shots he expected Coco Gaff to have improved more by now

Follow us on Google Discover

Mats Wilander outlined two areas of Coco Gauff’s game where she is falling short.

The 20-year-old is set to commence her US Open title defence on Monday against France’s Varvara Gracheva.

The World number three is aiming to become the first player to defend the New York Grand Slam since Serena Williams in 2014.

But Coco Gauff is entering the tournament in arguably the worst run of form in her career so far, and there is some concern around what may be expected of the champion at Flushing Meadows this year.

Which aspects of Coco Gauff’s game did Mats Wilander think would have improved more by now?

Gauff is one of the WTA’s most athletic players and possesses arguably the best backhand in the game.

But her serve and forehand have caused her plenty of problems. Gauff has issues serving multiple double faults and her forehand is targeted by her opponents.

It is a shot that can break down and she has hit multiple forehands errors at times, which has cost her dearly in some matches.

While assessing Gauff’s chances of US Open success, Mats Wilander commented on Gauff’s weaknesses and if they will impact her in New York.

“I think technically you would have to say that she has stagnated slightly. Her serve didn’t improve as much as we thought,” he told Eurosport. “Her forehand didn’t improve as much as we thought. But I think her fighting spirit is there and the US Open is going to fire her up.

“And can you imagine the American fans, how they are going to support her, mainly because she is not playing well. I think they’re going to be so much on her side that it’s really going to help her,” so I’m not worried.”

How is Coco Gauff feeling ahead of the US Open?

Gauff is coming into the US Open following successive defeats. She has also not made it past the fourth round of any event since the Berlin Open in June.

Despite the question marks surrounding her form, Gauff is excited to be back at Flushing Meadows and is ready to have another strong campaign.

“Yeah, it’s a new year for a new opportunity. Really excited to be back here and have a great tournament,” Gauff told reporters.

“Obviously, coming in as defending champion is a little bit of pressure, but also more of a privilege, because as my new motto is: If you defend, that means you won something before. I’m excited to be back here and hopefully have a good two weeks.”