Coco Gauff is still one of the best players on the WTA Tour, despite her obvious issues on the court.
Gauff’s run to the Miami Open final was the star’s best run of 2026, although she is yet to win a title this season.
However, the American continues to push the very best players on the WTA Tour to their limit despite still trying to work out how to improve her serve.
Andrea Petkovic believes Gauff is still ‘difficult’ to play despite her tough start to the 2026 season.
Andrea Petkovic says Coco Gauff is ‘underestimated’ by fans
Gauff’s serving has followed her for the last year, but many have defended the star’s other high-quality traits during that time.
Petkovic has now joined that list as she’s highlighted several parts of Gauff’s game that are still genuinely world class.
Is Coco Gauff the third-best player on the WTA Tour? 🤔
If not, who is?
Speaking on The Big T, the German said: “Somehow I feel like she is underestimated because she has flaws in her game, but these flaws are in a way sometimes also strengths for her.
“I am taking away the serve, the serve arguably cost her the match in the final vs Aryna Sabalenka [in Miami].”
Petkovic used first-hand experience to explain just how powerful some parts of the American’s game are.
“I played her a couple of times and practiced with her often,” she continued. “The first time I practiced with her was on clay actually, which is probably her best surface if you take her game style, and probably the most difficult part playing her was off the backhand side, a very powerful and flat shot would come at you.
“But off the forehand side, a very different shot would, with a lot of spin, bounce and jump. It was very difficult to adjust so she has a natural change of rhythm in her game and just for those who have never played her and judge her sometimes from the outside…”
Petkovic believes there are some similarities between Gauff and Angelique Kerber, who ended her career as a multi-time Grand Slam champion.
“I would not compare her with Angelique Kerber because I think Coco has a much longer career ahead of her.
Do you think Coco Gauff will win a Grand Slam title this year?
“But with Angie it was similar that when you played her you would understand why she was so good and was number one in the world and won three majors, but when you watched from the outside you’d ask why.
“I want to urge the people to look at it from a perspective of it’s freaking difficult to play Coco Gauff and sometimes we underestimate her!”
Despite playing on the WTA Tour for seven years, Gauff is still only 22 years old, which is perhaps a major reason why fans take the American for granted.
Where is Coco Gauff’s next tournament?
After an intense Sunshine Double, the WTA Tour now has a break from Masters events until the Madrid Open.
Gauff will not have too much of a break until she returns to action, however, as she has signed up to the Women’s Stuttgart Open.
How long will it take for Coco Gauff to complete the career Grand Slam?
The tournament, which is set to begin on 13th April, will see all of the top five compete at the indoor clay event.
Gauff has played the event for the last four years, but she is yet to play her best tennis at the German tournament.
The star’s best effort came in 2025 when she reached the last eight of the tournament. She was defeated in straight sets by Jasmine Paolini.
