Coco Gauff’s time at the Australian Open ended with a rough loss to Elina Svitolina on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old American never found her rhythm, falling 6-1, 6-2 in just under an hour.
Tim Henman didn’t hold back in his assessment, calling Gauff’s showing ‘shocking’ and saying it was ‘tough to watch.’
Her serving issues stood out. She managed just 41 percent of her first-serve points and finished with five double faults.
The world No. 3 also recorded 26 unforced errors compared to only three winners in a performance that left little positive impression on Rod Laver Arena.
Gauff spoke after the match about some of the advice she received from her coaching team during the match.
Coco Gauff turns to her team for answers during Svitolina loss
Speaking after the match, Gauff shared what she had asked her coaches while she was struggling to find answers against Svitolina.
Gauff said: “I was just asking, like, ‘Am I playing wrong?’ Yeah, just asking for advice.
“I mean, yeah, obviously she was playing well and I wasn’t. So they were just telling me to go for bigger targets, hit through the middle.
“But, I don’t know, I just felt like hitting through the middle against her wasn’t working because she was hitting winners. So yeah, it was just an awkward day I think.”
It’s easy to forget Gauff is still only 21. She’s already accomplished a lot in her career and needs time to develop into a more consistent performer on the WTA Tour.
Wozniacki again highlighted how this result can serve as a stepping stone in that process.
Who are the remaining American players in the draw?
Earlier on Tuesday, Coco Gauff became the second American to exit the tournament, following Iva Jovic’s 6-3, 6-0 loss to Aryna Sabalenka.
The two remaining Americans, Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova, are set to face each other on Rod Laver Arena. Pegula has won all three of their previous meetings, most recently defeating Anisimova in the final of the 2024 Canadian Masters.
Anisimova has since climbed to become American number one and is now a two-time Grand Slam finalist.
Both players have looked sharp so far at the Australian Open, reaching the quarter-finals without dropping a set.
The winner will go on to face either Iga Swiatek or Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals.
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