“She got bageled the first set of the first round, and it just shows you sometimes you fight your way out of a match. Good things can happen,” said Coco Gauff’s ex-coach Brad Gilbert while praising the World No.2’s never-give-up spirit. It helped her find the lost rhythm in Madrid. Playing the first round encounter against Dayana Yastremska, Gauff was expected to crash out early on the clay surface. But she came back strongly and won the second and third sets consecutively to advance ahead. This victory proved to be extremely inspirational. So much so that she eventually reached the summit clash at the Madrid Open.
It was her best run in a WTA event this season. However, it wasn’t her last! It seems the 2023 US Open champion has regained her momentum. And it’s come at the right time before stepping on the Parisian clay court, according to a former American pro.
Gauff’s remarkable form continued in her next WTA campaign, too. Playing another clay event in Rome, last week, she entered her second straight final in 2025. But just like Madrid, where Aryna Sabalenka beat her, she couldn’t lift the trophy against home favorite Jasmine Paolini. The latter comfortably clinched the title with a score line of 6-4, 6-2. But you know what? According to ex-ATP pro Steve Johnson, the recent results on clay will boost Gauff’s morale in more ways than one.
In an episode of the Nothing Major podcast, dated May 20, he did acknowledge that reaching back-to-back finals may have led to exhaustion for Gauff. Probably that’s why she couldn’t win the titles in Madrid and Rome. However, he also mentioned that these campaigns will still motivate her ahead of the Roland Garros challenge.
Steve began, “I think Coco kind of ran out of steam a little bit towards the end of that (Italian Open final). But for her, an incredible month of tennis to make back-to-back finals in these big events.”
He added, “Her confidence was, maybe not as high as she wanted to be in the beginning of the year that she struggled in the Middle East, not winning too many matches, leading up to the Indian Wells, Miami swing. So for her, an impressive month because now she has her confidence back.”
Further, he backed up her chances of victory in Paris, predicting, “She can go into the French Open feeling like she can win the tournament.” Seems like everything is falling in place for Gauff right now. How? Apart from finding her form, she’s also made a giant leap in the rankings. All thanks to her stupendous runs in Madrid and now Rome.
Coco Gauff becomes No.2, again, following the Italian Open campaign
While Coco Gauff may have lost the final against Paolini, she felt the Italian deserved to win. After the match, the American admitted, “Maybe I could have served better and put more balls in the court, could play better. I definitely could and can. But she played to win today and she deserved to win.” reported WTA’s website on May 18.
Meanwhile, Gauff is currently shining on WTA’s rankings list. Previously, she was at No.3 but now she’s on the second spot. After the list was updated on Monday, she jumped to No.2. With that, she’s matched her career-high ranking from last season. She first reached the second position in the summer of 2024. Back then, she held the spot for two weeks before slipping.
Undoubtedly, Gauff’s confidence will be high going into the French Open next week. In general, she’s been consistent on the Parisian clay court so far. In fact, back in 2018, she’s been a Juniors champion at the Roland Garros.
Speaking of her professional appearances at the French Open, they have been amazing too. Last year, she reached the semis before losing to eventual winner Iga Swiatek.
Back in 2022, Gauff was on the verge of winning her maiden slam in Paris. But Swiatek broke her dream and emerged as the winner.
What are your thoughts on Coco Gauff’s prospects at the Roland Garros this time? Will she finally lift her first trophy in Paris? Let us know in the comments below.
The post “She Struggled” – Coco Gauff’s Clay Charge Triggers Bold French Open Prediction From Ex-Pro appeared first on EssentiallySports.