Coco Gauff is arguably tennis’ biggest and brightest prospect right now, as an American powerhouse competing at the apex of her sport.
When fit and at her best, she might actually be a greater draw than Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, such is her star power.
Just 21 years old, the future remains exceedingly bright for Coco Gauff, despite her struggles throughout 2025.
It almost feels ironic to point out those glaring flaws when she added a second Grand Slam title to her cabinet earlier in the year.
Alas, Martina Navratilova will be hoping for many, many more if her 2023 prediction is to come to fruition.
Martina Navratilova’s Grand Slam prediction about Coco Gauff
Speaking after Gauff claimed her maiden major title in New York, winning the 2023 US Open in dramatic fashion, Navratilova emerged to laud her compatriot.
After all, it marked the first time since Serena Williams that an American had claimed that coveted honour in their home country. It was a huge deal.
Navratilova emphasised that, and suggested that she saw huge things coming for Gauff in the future.
She predicted: “I think she was just groomed for this from so far back, but you still have to be the person that can handle it and she handles it with grace, humility.
“She’s just getting started. That’s the beauty of it. There were so many expectations put on her when she first came on tour; she burst through at Wimbledon, and people thought she’d be top five in a minute.
“I don’t know who those people were who were doubting her because it certainly wasn’t me. She’s not stopping, so watch out world. If she doesn’t go into double digits for majors, I would be surprised, if she stays healthy.”
How long will it take for Coco Gauff to complete the career Grand Slam?
Gauff will start her 2026 season at the United Cup, marking the perfect opportunity to try out her new techniques in a competitive but relaxed format.
This is the most important off-season of Coco Gauff’s career
Whilst it might seem strange to say about a 21-year-old, this ongoing off-season is imperative for Gauff.
After all, if she can use it to work with her new coach and iron out her outstanding issues, she could be a genuine threat for all four Grand Slam titles in 2026.
Alas, if she fails to solve those forehand and serving frailties, it might be another year of battling hard and achieving some good results, but ultimately not being at the elite level as she should.
Gauff has talent in abundance, and for someone so young, has the world at her feet.
It’s therefore refreshing to see how open to change she was; Gauff hired Gavin MacMillan on the eve of the US Open earlier this year.
The hope is that this biomechanics coach can rewire her game and recapture the consistency that will make her a danger for any opponent.
They will arguably get no better time than throughout December to achieve that, making this a crucial make-or-break period for the American superstar.
