At just 18 years old, Coco Gauf is one of the biggest names on the WTA circuit. The American has reached three Grand Slam finals (one singles and two doubles) and topped the doubles rankings, and in Doha she spoke about the changes she needs to make to achieve her next goals.

Koko Gauff needs to attack more and work on a tactical approach

Coco (WTA No. 6 singles and No. 2 doubles) wants to win her first major title and become world No. 1 in singles, but feels she needs to be more aggressive on court and work on her serve to achieve that important matches.

“I think I need to work on how I approach the game tactically. Mentally, I think I’m fine. There is always room for improvement, but this is one of those questions that I won’t be able to answer until I get to that point and complete this step.

I know I need to fix some things, but I feel like from reaching a Grand Slam final to winning it… you don’t really know what you have to do until you get there.

I wouldn’t say I’m a complete defensive player. I can hit hard, but I think I need to do it more often. I am working on it and trying to do it at the right time.

I don’t need to be just a strong striker because I feel I have enough physical strength to play a complete game. So I don’t think I need to ‘hit the ball over the fence’ (not like a home run in baseball), but I also think I need to be more aggressive.” – Coco Gaufquoted by Sportskeeda.

The American’s first career Grand Slam final came in doubles at the 2021 US Open, when she teamed up with Katie McNally and lost to Samantha Stosur / Shuai Zhang.

Hauf then lost to Iga Sviatek in the singles final at Roland Garros 2022, and in the doubles (with Jessica Pegula) she failed to advance to the final action of France’s Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic.

Although she was eliminated in the round of 16 at the Australian Open, Gauff has had a good start to the season. Coco won eight of nine matches played in 2023 and won the WTA 250 in Auckland.

In the 1/16 finals of the “WTA 500” tournament in Doha, Coco Gauf will have a difficult task: she will meet with Petra Kvitova (13 WTA, double winner of Grand Slam tournaments).