Coco Gauff will be hoping to replicate what Iga Swiatek did at Wimbledon last year.
Gauff has struggled on grass in recent years, and had not won a match on the surface since 2024.
This included losing her only match at the Berlin Open earlier this month, but Gauff has now returned to winning ways after a convincing victory over Tamara Korpatsch, who she beat 6-2, 6-1 to reach the second round.
After winning her first round match, Gauff admitted that her perspective on grass court tennis changed after Swiatek won Wimbledon last year.
Coco Gauff admits footwork is the biggest thing she needs to improve on grass
Gauff spoke in her press conference after the match, where she was asked about how she has to play differently on grass compared to hard and clay courts.
“I think grass, it forces me to be more aggressive and really trusting my shots,” responded Gauff. “I feel like I can’t second-guess what I’m doing on the court.
“Also I’m going for way bigger serves than I normally do. I think also because I’m changing my serve – well, I changed my serve, now I feel really confident that I can hit any spot at almost any moment.
“Just trying to figure out how I want to play on grass. I feel I finally have an idea of what that looks like for me in my head, now it’s about just executing it. Whereas before, I think I was really just taking it point by point.
“Now I feel like I have clear, concise plans, things that I want to do, whereas before I feel like I was always adjusting to my opponent. Now I feel like I’m making my opponent adjust to me.”
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Grass has been by far Gauff’s weakest surface, with Wimbledon being the only Grand Slam tournament where she has been unable to surpass the fourth round.
However, Gauff explained that Swiatek winning Wimbledon has changed her perspective on grass, as they have similar grips.
Gauff also suggested that she thinks that her footwork is her biggest weakness on grass.
“Yeah, well, I mean, last year Iga won, so we have very similar grips,” said Gauff. “I think that also maybe changed my perspective on how I can play on grass. So I think that honestly is the main thing.
“Everything else I just feel like footwork-wise I’m not where I need to be on the surface. I think just learning. We spend a lot of time just focusing on footwork.
“Outside of that, I mean, just being aggressive, too. I think outside of those three things, I feel like I have to only focus on those three things to be the grass player I want to be. I’m pretty good at the net. Obviously I’m quick on the court. My serve is where I want it to be. I do think it can improve even more.
“The next thing is just focusing on those three things. Yeah, I definitely think seeing her win last year gave my confidence of, Okay, I can be good on this surface, I just need to figure out how I have to play.”
Gauff was then asked a follow-up question about her footwork, as she explained how it differs to other surfaces.
“Yeah, I mean, I feel like on clay, obviously we’re sliding a lot more, playing a little bit more upright because the ball is bouncing higher,” added Gauff.
“Here, I know [Jannik] Sinner can slide, but not something I’m quite comfortable yet on this surface. Just working on that, really just making it as efficient as possible.
“You don’t have time for mistakes. Even easy balls on clay, you can lack a little bit or be more relaxed. Here, the way the grass is, it can drop, make a bad bounce. I think making it as clear and concise and compact as possible to allow the margin for mistake to be low.”
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Who is Coco Gauff playing in the second round of Wimbledon?
Gauff will hope to continue her winning feeling on grass in her second round match at Wimbledon, where she will play against Solana Sierra.
This will be the third time that Gauff has played Sierra this year, and while she has won both matches, they have been very different encounters.
Gauff dominated Sierra at the United Cup, but found it more difficult at the Italian Open, where she came from a set down to beat the Argentinian.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 2026 | United Cup | Gauff beat Sierra, 6-1 6-1 |
| 2026 | Italian Open | Gauff beat Sierra, 5-7 6-0 6-4 |
This will be the first time Gauff and Sierra play on grass, with the latter enjoying a breakthrough run to the fourth round of Wimbledon last year.
Gauff and Sierra will compete for a place in the third round of Wimbledon on Wednesday, July 1.
