Serena Williams’ ex-coach makes Coco Gauff WTA Finals claim ahead of Iga Swiatek clash
Australian tennis coach Rennae Stubbs has offered Coco Gauff some advice and made her prediction ahead of the WTA Finals. The 2023 US Open champion reached the semifinal of last year’s tournament, where she lost out to doubles partner Jessica Pegula.
The 2024 season-ender will be a showcase of some of the best talent on the tour, as eight of the highest-ranked players compete in Riyadh. World number one Aryna Sabalenka enters the WTA Finals as the favorite, fresh from her title win at the Wuhan Open last month. She will be looking to add the end-of-season award to her Australia Open and US Open titles this year.
However, despite the majority of eyes being on Sabalenka and reigning champion Iga Swiatek, Stubbs has backed Gauff to go all the way. That is, if she can improve on one glaring setback from her last performance.
Coco Gauff looking to bounce back from Aryna Sabalenka defeat
“This is what I’ll say about Coco, if she serves less than six double faults in her matches, no matter what match she plays, she will win the tournament. She has the ability,” Stubbs said on the latest episode of the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.
“You’re serving 20-21 double faults in a match and you lose 6-3 or 6-4 in the third. You get your serve and you win — and that was the last loss against Sabalenka.”
Stubbs has worked with the likes of Karolina Pliskova, Samantha Stosur and Genie Bouchard throughout her career. She also coached Serena Williams during the 2022 US Open, the court legend’s final Grand Slam tournament before her retirement.
