Coco Gauff recently made notable adjustments to her training routine in preparation for the clay court season, following what she described as a disappointing start to the year. After struggling to find consistent rhythm in earlier tournaments, Gauff took proactive steps to realign her approach, hoping to find her footing on a surface that has historically suited her strengths. The American tennis star believes the shift in strategy has already paid off.
Recognizing that her early-season performance wasn’t up to her expectations, Gauff and her team reassessed their game plan. They decided to focus on refining her physical conditioning and honing specific aspects of her game better suited for clay. One of the key changes involved increasing her time on clay courts earlier than usual, giving her more opportunity to adjust to the slower surface and improve her footwork, which is vital on the red dirt.
Gauff openly acknowledged the challenges of moving from hard courts to clay, but emphasized that the decision to recalibrate her preparation was both necessary and rewarding. She shared that spending more time training on clay helped her become more comfortable with longer rallies and slide movement, which are essential for success during this part of the season. The transition also included working on patience and point construction—elements that play a much larger role on clay compared to faster surfaces.
In addition to technical adjustments, Gauff also mentioned the mental shift she needed to make. Competing with the pressure of expectations, especially after a strong previous season, required her to reframe her mindset and focus more on the process rather than immediate results. This reset allowed her to approach matches with a clearer perspective and a renewed sense of confidence.
So far, the results have been encouraging. Gauff’s recent matches on clay have shown signs of improvement in both her strategy and execution. Her movement appears more fluid, and she seems better equipped to handle the unique demands of the surface. While she admits there’s still room for growth, Gauff believes the decision to make these changes was the right one, and she feels more prepared to take on the challenges ahead.
Looking forward, Gauff aims to build on this momentum as she heads into the heart of the clay court season, which includes key tournaments leading up to Roland Garros. With a fresh approach and a greater understanding of what works for her on clay, she’s optimistic about her chances to perform well in the coming weeks.
Her commitment to improvement and adaptability reflects her maturity and dedication to the sport. If her recent adjustments continue to yield positive results, Coco Gauff could be a major contender during the clay season and beyond.