After struggling with form at WTA Finals, Coco Gauff receives unexpected advice from Jimmy Connors

Coco Gauff's title defense at the 2025 WTA Finals didn't last long as the American exited the prestigious year-end event after playing her three group stage matches, two of which she lost. Subsequently, men's tennis legend Jimmy Connors shared some prudent advice for the 21-year-old, whose 2025 tennis season has now come to an end.

At this year's edition of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the World No. 3 in women's singles tennis was defeated in the group stage by Jessica Pegula and then Aryna Sabalenka. While Gauff did register a convincing win over Jasmine Paolini in between the two losses, ultimately, it wasn't enough to see the American through to the semifinals.

Particularly worrying in Coco Gauff's performances in Riyadh was once again the high amount of unforced errors she made, especially in terms of double faults. Notably, against Pegula, the two-time singles Major champion hit 17 double faults, which, point-wise, translates to more than four entire games handed to the opponent on a platter.

On a recent episode of the Advantage Connors podcast, former men's singles World No. 1 and eight-time singles Slam winner Jimmy Connors advised Gauff on the mentality she needs to adopt going forward. For starters, the 73-year-old urged his young compatriot to play in a way that makes her opponents beat her as opposed to Gauff doing damage to her own chances with numerous unforced errors.

"Make your opponent beat you. Don't beat yourself," Connors said. (from 12:20)

Next, the record 109-time career singles titlist in men's tennis opined that the changes Gauff is trying to make to her serve with the help of biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan are more likely to pay dividends if they are worked on during the off season. Gauff made the brave decision of roping in MacMillan with days to go before this year's US Open, but so far, their collaboration is yet to manifest in consistent serving performances.

"She's got six or seven weeks to regroup and not continue to try to improve and do things on the fly. That's hard to do, to go in and be put under the pressure of winning matches, tournaments, beating the best players when you're trying to make changes. Changes are to be made in the off season, not when you're trying to win a title," Connors added.

"My serve is a real weapon in some moments, but..." - Coco Gauff's honest admission on problematic shot

Coco Gauff in her service motion at the 2025 WTA Finals (Source: Getty)

In October this year, ahead of her title-winning Wuhan Open campaign in China, Coco Gauff spoke up about her serve; the shot that has, for a long time now, been the one that the American seems to struggle with the most. Laying bare her desire to achieve consistent serving through her work with Gavin MacMillan, Gauff told the media:

"I want my serve to be a real weapon and it is in some moments, but being a weapon more consistently is what I want."

Despite her serving woes, Coco Gauff won two prestigious titles in 2025. Months before securing glory in Wuhan, the American stunned World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the women's singles final of the French Open.

Edited by Sudipto Pati