Coco Gauff should have a clear plan of action after her latest grass court defeat in Berlin.
Gauff was beaten by Paula Badosa 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 in her only singles match at the Berlin Open this year.
This has continued Gauff’s poor recent record on grass, having lost her last four consecutive singles matches on the surface.
With Gauff seeking her first grass court singles win since 2024 this year, it is clear what she needs to do ahead of Wimbledon.
Coco Gauff should request a wildcard to play in either Eastbourne or Bad Homburg
The Berlin Open is the only grass court tournament that Gauff has entered ahead of Wimbledon this year, and she has lost her only match at the WTA 500 event once again.
Although Gauff has not entered any more tournaments before Wimbledon this year, she still has events for which she could request a wildcard.
What does Coco Gauff need to change to become a contender on grass?
She's out of the Berlin Open…
Gauff has to make it her priority to request a wildcard for either the Eastbourne Open or the Bad Homburg Open, as she needs to find some confidence on grass ahead of Wimbledon.
Eastbourne is perhaps the more likely of the two for Gauff to play, as she has competed there twice before and there are currently four wildcard slots that have not been announced.
Gauff reached the semi-finals in her last appearance in Eastbourne and she should return to the WTA 500 tournament to try and recreate those memories.
The current top seed in Eastbourne is world number 13 Jasmine Paolini, and so Gauff would be the top seed if she takes a wildcard to play the event, allowing her to work her way into the draw more than she was able to against the stacked field in Berlin.
Coco Gauff could be boosted by a doubles run with Jessica Pegula in Berlin
Although Gauff is winless on grass in singles since 2024, she will remain in Berlin for the doubles tournament.
This is where Gauff reunited with former partner Jessica Pegula, and they were able to win their first round match in straight sets.
Who is currently the best grass-court player on the WTA Tour?
Gauff’s priority will always be singles, but any match practice on grass is going to be helpful with such little time ahead of Wimbledon.
This is something that Gauff should take advantage of, while also seeking a wildcard for another grass court singles event before Wimbledon.
Gauff made her breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2019, when she was just 15 years old, which shows that she is a more than capable grass court player, and it is important that she wins a singles match on the surface this year to remove any mental baggage that may be starting to build up.
