Coco Gauff’s journey at the 2024 Miami Open took a significant stride forward as she secured a commanding victory over Oceane Dodin, advancing to the fourth round of the prestigious WTA event. However, beyond her on-court triumphs, Gauff shed light on her unique approach to refining her game, particularly her backhand technique.
During her post-match press conference, the World No. 3 offered insights into her tennis evolution, revealing a divergence from her team’s efforts to emulate the style of tennis legend Chris Evert. Instead, Gauff disclosed that she found inspiration in the playing style of another tennis icon, Novak Djokovic, particularly when it came to her backhand.
Despite acknowledging her close bond with Evert and the supportive messages they often exchange, Gauff admitted to taking a different path in refining her backhand technique. While she began studying tapes of Evert’s matches after turning professional, she ultimately found herself drawn towards Djokovic’s approach to the game.
“I think once I turned pro is when I watched a little bit more of her old tapes. It’s definitely a different game. I wouldn’t say I modeled my backhand after hers,” Gauff stated during her press conference, highlighting the evolution of her playing style.
Gauff’s divergence from her team’s efforts to emulate Evert’s style underscores her willingness to forge her own path in the tennis world. Despite the guidance and expertise provided by her coaching team, Gauff’s decision to draw inspiration from Djokovic speaks to her adaptability and willingness to innovate on the court.
“Well, my team tried, then I tried to model it after Novak Djokovic a lot. That’s where that inspiration comes from,” Gauff added, shedding light on her deliberate choice to incorporate elements of Djokovic’s game into her own.
As Gauff continues to carve out her place among tennis’s elite, her willingness to explore different influences and adapt her game accordingly sets her apart as a dynamic and forward-thinking player. With each match, she showcases not only her formidable skills but also her capacity for growth and innovation, ensuring that her journey in the sport remains as captivating as her on-court performances.
Gauff in Miami, ranking, and results in 2024
LWLWWLWWWW Currently the world no.3 (career-high), Coco achieved a composed 18-4 record in 2024. The American is now playing in Miami where she conquered the world no.78 Nadia Podoroska 6-1 6-2 and the world no.84 Oceane Dodin 6-4 6-0.
Coco Gauff will come up against the world no.27 Caroline Garcia in the 4th round. Their current record is 2-2.
The American conquered 1 title in 2024 in Auckland.
The American won 7 titles in her career: 5 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 1 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
Novak Djokovic in 2024
LWWWLWLWWW At the moment ranked no.1, Novak played his last match on the 11th of March when he surrendered to world no.96 Luca Nardi 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the 3rd round in Indian Wells (draw).
This season Djokovic achieved a 8-3 win-loss record. Novak Djokovic’s best result of this season was reaching the semifinal at the Australian Open.
Djokovic is scheduled to compete next in Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters (Monte–Carlo). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 7th of April.
Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic |
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