Coco Gauff’s usually commanding start to the season has hit a stumbling block, raising questions about her mental approach on court. At the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, the American star suffered a 6-4, 6-2 loss to Elisabetta Cocciaretto, marking her second consecutive early exit following a strong Australian Open quarterfinal showing. The result underscores a need for Gauff to find consistency as she navigates the pressures of top-level competition.
For a player of Gauff’s caliber, a loss to a qualifier highlights more than just a bad day. Following her Australian Open defeat to Elina Svitolina and an early doubles exit in Doha, there is a growing concern that the World No. 4 has yet to find her rhythm this season. Maintaining momentum is crucial, and repeated setbacks can undermine confidence even for elite athletes.
Gauff herself acknowledged the challenge, admitting she has struggled to translate practice improvements into match play. “I just feel like I haven’t shown up with my best level the last few matches. I’m just looking to find that again,” she said. She added that adapting to players like Cocciaretto, who play flat and take control of points early, remains a work in progress.
Cocciaretto deserves credit for capitalizing on her second chance in the main draw. Her aggressive and precise style earned her a third career Top 10 victory and her first over Gauff since their junior meeting in 2018. Despite the defeat, Gauff found some positives, including a steady serve with only three double faults. Her primary focus moving forward is improving her groundstrokes and understanding how to maintain composure under pressure.
The mental side of the game has been a recurring obstacle for Gauff, particularly during the Middle East swing. She reflected on her challenges, noting, “Physically, I know I can do it and I can do it when there’s not much pressure. I need to figure out how to do it when there’s more pressure.” Finding the ability to trust her preparation and play freely in high-pressure moments will be critical for her to return to championship form.
Fortunately, the tour moves quickly, giving Gauff an immediate chance to reset at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The tournament has been a successful stop for her in the past, reaching the semifinals in 2023. It provides an ideal opportunity for her to translate training improvements into match-winning performances and regain confidence early in the season.
