Serena’s Secret Strategy That Nearly Crushed Gauff’s Rise — Here’s What She Did.”

In the world of tennis, mentorship often walks a fine line between support and control. For Coco Gauff, that line may have been crossed in her early encounters with Serena Williams—her idol, mentor, and for a time, her silent shadow.

Coco Gauff’s rise was nothing short of meteoric. Bursting onto the scene as a teenager, she quickly earned comparisons to Serena, both for her athleticism and her presence. But behind the public admiration came a private moment—one that nearly altered the trajectory of Gauff’s career.

During a now well-known private session, Serena offered Gauff what was described as exclusive mental training. She told Gauff to suppress her emotions, to never show frustration, and to always maintain composure—tactics Serena herself mastered throughout her career.

At first, Gauff took this advice to heart. She tried to remain calm, stoic, and focused. But something changed in her game. The fire that once defined her seemed dimmed. Her natural energy—her passion, her emotional edge—was restrained.

What seemed like mentorship slowly started to feel like a mold. Gauff began playing Serena’s version of tennis, not her own.

Insiders have since questioned Serena’s intent. Was she truly mentoring Gauff? Or was she subtly preserving her own legacy by molding Gauff into a version of herself—one that lacked the raw instinct that made Coco so dangerous?

The shift was evident in Gauff’s results. Against top-tier opponents, especially Iga Świątek, she struggled. Analysts noted hesitation, mental pressure, and emotional conflict—traits never associated with her before. Some believe that Serena’s advice unintentionally weakened Gauff’s natural strengths.

In recent interviews, Gauff has hinted at reclaiming her own style.
“I realized I couldn’t be someone I’m not—even if that someone is Serena,” she said.

That realization marked a turning point. Gauff’s resurgence in 2024 has been fueled by her decision to return to her roots—playing with emotion, embracing her personality, and trusting her instincts.

In hindsight, Serena’s strategy, however well-intentioned, nearly derailed one of the most promising careers in tennis. Whether it was an honest misstep or a quiet power play, one thing is clear: Coco Gauff is no longer playing anyone’s game but her own.