Coco Gauff Eyes Australian Open Win at 21

Coco Gauff has her sights set on lifting another Grand Slam trophy, and tennis experts believe this could be her moment to break through.

The 21-year-old world No. 3 kicks off her Australian Open campaign Monday against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova. She's bringing serious momentum after her French Open victory last year and a strong showing at the United Cup, where she won three of four matches to help Team USA reach the semifinals.

But Gauff isn't just relying on past wins. She's actively working to fix the weak spots in her game.

Her serve has been inconsistent, racking up 28 double faults already this year. Her forehand sometimes wobbles under pressure. So she brought in a biomechanics coach to iron out the technical issues that have kept her from dominating consistently.

"I want to give it my all in each match," Gauff said. "The more that stroke becomes more consistent, the more my results will become more consistent."

It's the kind of self-awareness that separates good players from great ones. Gauff already has two Grand Slam titles under her belt: the US Open in 2023 and the French Open in 2024. Now she's targeting the consistency that would put her in the same conversation as legends like Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.

Why This Inspires

What makes Gauff's journey so compelling isn't just her talent. It's her willingness to be vulnerable and keep growing.

She recently opened up about experiencing a panic attack during a match against Donna Vekic at the US Open. Instead of hiding it, she talked about it as a learning experience and thanked fans for their support.

At just 21, she's showing young athletes everywhere that success isn't about being perfect. It's about facing your weaknesses head-on and doing the work to improve.

Sky Sports analyst Jonathan Overend believes Gauff is ready to "connect the dots." When everything clicks, he says, "she will be frightening."

The path won't be easy. The Australian Open draw is loaded with talent, and Gauff could face tennis legend Venus Williams as early as the second round if the seven-time Grand Slam champion advances.

But Gauff has already shown she thrives under pressure, and she's put in the work to address her vulnerabilities. That combination of talent, humility, and determination is what champions are made of.