Overview
- Gauff was eliminated in Riyadh after a 6-7(5), 2-6 loss to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, finishing 1-2 in the group and needing a straight-sets win to advance.
- Serve instability remained the theme of her Finals: 17 double faults in the opener against Jessica Pegula and six against Sabalenka underlined a season-long problem.
- She replaced coach Matt Daly with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan before the US Open to rework her motion, a midseason fix Jimmy Connors says should be paused until the off-season.
- Tim Henman contrasted Sabalenka’s composure on second serve with Gauff’s strain, noting the focus required on her delivery spills into the rest of her game.
- Despite the late stumble, Gauff’s year included a French Open title, a Wuhan WTA 1000 win and a 48-16 record; she said she will rest briefly before training again, as Rick Macci called the next two months “career-changing.”