Former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki has weighed in on Coco Gauff’s surprising quarterfinal loss to Paula Badosa at the Australian Open. Gauff, the third seed, entered the match riding a nine-match winning streak, but her hopes for a maiden Grand Slam title were dashed in a straight-sets defeat, 7-5, 6-4.
Wozniacki, speaking on Rennae Stubbs’ podcast, identified Gauff’s uncharacteristic mistakes and lack of footwork as key contributors to her loss. She credited Badosa for capitalizing on the American’s missteps while delivering a high-pressure performance.
Wozniacki Breaks Down the Loss
“I think she didn’t play her best tennis,” Wozniacki said of Gauff. “She got a bit too static with her legs and made too many unforced errors.”
Gauff, known for her agility and strong baseline game, was plagued by 41 unforced errors, including six double faults. Wozniacki noted that these mistakes compounded as Gauff’s forehand struggled, leaving her vulnerable to Badosa’s aggressive play.
“At 5-5 in the first set, Paula just started teeing off,” Wozniacki added. “Her miles per hour on the forehand and backhand went up drastically. Obviously, Coco didn’t play her best. The first serve wasn’t working, but Paula really put her under a lot of pressure.”
Badosa’s Dominance
The 11th-seeded Badosa brought a fearless approach to the court, striking with greater intensity as the match progressed. Her ability to attack Gauff’s weaker shots and force errors was pivotal in securing her place in the semifinals.
Badosa’s tactical precision at key moments, especially late in the first set, proved too much for the American, whose confidence seemed to wane as the match wore on.
Wozniacki’s Own Journey
While Wozniacki continues to transition back into competitive tennis, she revealed that physical struggles during the off-season prevented her from competing in Australia this year.
“My body was not feeling great. When I started pre-season training, I was struggling,” Wozniacki shared with Eurosport. Her most recent match was at the 2023 US Open, where she reached the fourth round before falling to Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Gauff’s Path Forward
Gauff, still only 20, remains a rising star with immense potential, but her quarterfinal performance highlighted areas for improvement. As Wozniacki pointed out, addressing her forehand consistency, first-serve accuracy, and overall footwork will be crucial as Gauff looks to rebound in upcoming tournaments.