Coco Gauff has made an error after her disappointment at the Australian Open.
Gauff lost in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, losing to Elina Svitolina in just 59 minutes.
There was a lot of controversy after Gauff was caught smashing her racket on camera, but she chose to try and put this behind her at the Qatar Open.
After losing her only match in Doha, Gauff has proven that she has made a big mistake after the Australian Open.
Coco Gauff should have copied Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys
The Qatar Open is the first WTA 1000 tournament of the year, but many players including Aryna Sabalenka, Naomi Osaka, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys chose not to play in Doha.
However, Gauff did not follow some of her top players and instead decided to play the Middle Eastern swing.
This appeared to be a surprising decision for Gauff, who has struggled in recent years in both Doha and Dubai.
Gauff would have benefited more from practicing at home ahead of the sunshine double of Indian Wells and the Miami Open.
Prove us wrong…
Despite this, Gauff appeared to be in a good position to return to winning ways at the Qatar Open, as she was drawn to play against lucky loser Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who she had never lost a set against in their three previous meetings.
Suggesting that there is still a hangover from the Australian Open, Gauff suffered a convincing defeat Cocciaretto, losing 6-4 6-2.
Gauff has not won a match in Doha since 2023, and she has proven that she should not have travelled to the Middle East.
This view is echoed by Gauff’s former coach Brad Gilbert, who responded to someone suggesting the same thing.
Gilbert wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “Good call.”
| WTA 1000 Tournament | Coco Gauff’s Win-loss Record | Coco Gauff’s Best Result |
| Qatar Open | 3-4 (43%) | Quarterfinal (2022) |
| Dubai Tennis Championships | 7-4 (64%) | Semifinal (2023) |
The two-time Grand Slam champion can still choose to skip the Dubai Tennis Championships, which would be advisable for Gauff.
But after travelling all the way to the Middle East it feels more likely that Gauff will also compete in Dubai.
Gauff has achieved better results in Dubai than in Doha over the years, but another early loss could be more damaging than skipping the tournament altogether.
When did Coco Gauff last lose to a lucky loser?
As well as continuing her poor recent record in the Middle East, Gauff has also made unwanted career history.
Cocciaretto suffered a convincing defeat to Varvara Gracheva in qualifying for the Qatar Open, but received a spot as a lucky loser after McCartney Kessler pulled out of the draw in Doha.
Gauff has now lost to a lucky loser for the first time in nearly five years, with Cocciaretto inflicting unwanted career history on the American.
The last time Gauff lost to a lucky loser was at the 2021 Eastbourne International, when she was beaten by Anastasija Sevastova.
Where will Coco Gauff be ranked at the end of the 2026 season?
Gauff has also missed an opportunity, as she would have played against another player ranked outside the top 40 in her compatriot, Ann Li.
Instead, Gauff will have a lot to reflect on as she has a big decision to make about her participation in Dubai.
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