Opinion: Coco Gauff Doesn’t Dominate Tennis, and That’s OK – She’s Still Rare

It’s time for American sports fans—even American tennis fans—to stop taking Coco Gauff for granted. For a player who burst onto the scene by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon at the tender age of 15, the expectation has always been sky-high. Yet, as we sit on the sidelines of her career today, it becomes clear that dominance on the court isn’t the only measure of greatness.

A Different Kind of Greatness

For two consecutive years, Gauff has been touted as one of the highest-paid women’s athletes, raking in over $21 million in endorsements in 2024 alone, according to Sportico. Despite never being ranked No. 1, and with just one Grand Slam title—the 2023 US Open—under her belt, the cultural narrative often seeks to elevate her to a status similar to that of Serena Williams. But should we really expect the same kind of awe-inspiring dominance from someone who is still evolving?

Gauff’s marketability was built on an intoxicating promise: the idea that a teenage prodigy could revolutionize tennis. When she first emerged, much was made of the notion that she had the potential to succeed the throne of Serena Williams. In reality, what we’ve witnessed is something more relatable—a player who is fiercely talented, yet inherently human, and far from flawless.

The Weight of Expectation and the Beauty of Being "Work-in-Progress"

Social media can be brutal. Every match, every stroke on the court is dissected and critiqued. Gauff’s supporters sometimes express disappointment when she fails to dominate opponents presumed to be lesser, questioning her technique, forehand, serve, and even her support system. And while it might seem harsh, this scrutiny reflects our cultural obsession with perfection.

But here’s the truth: Coco Gauff is simply a great athlete—not a flawless one. Look at her résumé pending the French Open final against Aryna Sabalenka:

• 1 Grand Slam title

• 3 Grand Slam finals and 2 more semifinal appearances

• 1 WTA Year-End Championship

• 2 WTA 1000 titles and 9 WTA titles overall

• A solid grip on the No. 2 ranking

• Finals appearances in Paris, Rome, and Madrid—the biggest tournaments on clay of the year

For any other American athlete, such accomplishments at 21 would make every tournament an event. Yet, because she isn’t neatly fitted into the mold of “the best women’s tennis player of all time,” we often overlook how remarkable her journey truly is.

Embracing Imperfection

The assumption that Coco Gauff possessed a once-in-a-generation ability to win Grand Slams because she was beating established players at a young age was misguided. Instead, she is a dynamic and gritty competitor who battles through each match—even when she’s plagued by double faults or bouts of lost confidence. That vulnerability, the struggle to improve her forehand on a near-daily basis, is not a demerit; it’s a mark of her relentless drive to be better.

It’s time we shift our conversation from domination to perseverance. Gauff’s ability to stay in matches, to find a way to outperform her opponents even when not at her peak, is an inspirational element of her game. It’s a reminder that in sports—and in life—brilliance is often interwoven with imperfection.

Celebrating a Rare Talent

Rather than demanding that Coco Gauff be an unstoppable force, we should celebrate her as a rare talent who brings a unique blend of athleticism, resilience, and personality to the court. She isn’t destined to be the next Serena Williams in a conventional sense, but her journey is just as compelling. Gauff sells out stadiums, spikes TV ratings, and commands endorsements because she embodies the spirit of modern sports—intense, unpredictable, and beautifully human.

As fans and critics alike, we need to do a better job of appreciating what she has already achieved. Coco Gauff might not dominate every match, but her continued presence at the highest levels of competition and her ability to innovate even when she’s struggling is what makes her truly special.

So the next time you watch Coco Gauff play, remember: It’s not the flawless victories, but the hard-fought battles and relentless will to compete that make her a standout athlete. She’s a great player—rare, evolving, and a true inspiration to the world of tennis. Let’s celebrate that journey instead of demanding perfection.