Coco Gauff has just suffered complete disaster at the Australian Open, losing to Elina Svitolina in less than an hour.
Gauff smashed her racket after the 6-1, 6-2 defeat in the quarterfinals of the Melbourne event, the first Grand Slam of 2026.
The WTA number three hadn’t exactly been playing her best tennis at the Australian Open, having dropped two sets en route to the final eight.
But Gauff fell to another level entirely against Svitolina, who took advantage of her opponent’s struggles with a ruthless display.
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Coco Gauff needs to correct first serve woes after Australian Open loss
Svitolina now takes on WTA number one Aryna Sabalenka, but Gauff leaves Melbourne with much frustration and disappointment.
Gauff was quick to delve briefly into her stats from the defeat, in which she highlighted her first serve struggles.
The American has had a real issue with double faults in recent times, having led the way in that regard for the entire WTA Tour in both 2024 and 2025.
She recorded five against Svitolina, but arguably more worrying was the first serve win figure of 41% from 74% of first serves in.
Gauff finished the match with 32/43 first serves in, but with an alarming first serve win record of just 13/32.
The all-round nightmare at Rod Laver Arena was completed by a second serve win record of 2/11, equating to just 18%.
| Coco Gauff | Elina Svitolina | |
| 0 | Aces | 4 |
| 5 | Double faults | 0 |
| 74% (32/43) | 1st serve in | 69% (31/45) |
| 41% (13/32) | Win 1st serve | 71% (22/31) |
| 18% (2/11) | Win 2nd serve | 50% (7/14) |
Coco Gauff’s entire Grand Slam record following Australian Open exit
Gauff is clearly disappointed by the defeat and indeed the nature of it, having failed to really pose a threat to Svitolina.
But she definitely needs to remember the amazing feats she has achieved so far on the WTA Tour, all aged just 21.
| Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open | |
| 2019 | – | – | 4th | 3rd |
| 2020 | 4th | 2nd | – | 1st |
| 2021 | 2nd | QF | 4th | 2nd |
| 2022 | 1st | RUP | 3rd | QF |
| 2023 | 4th | QF | 1st | WON |
| 2024 | SF | SF | 4th | 4th |
| 2025 | QF | WON | 1st | 4th |
| 2026 | QF | – | – | – |
The American also has the weight of the world on her shoulders, with so many eyes constantly on the young superstar.
She’s handled that pressure so well for so long, with 11 WTA singles titles already clinched and many more to come.
What has been the biggest upset at the Australian Open so far?
Two Grand Slam singles titles are among her honors, along with one Grand Slam doubles title and WTA Finals success.
More silverware is undoubtedly on the cards for the youngster, who will learn a lot about herself and her game from her heavy defeat to Svitolina.
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