Coco Gauff has been absorbing lessons from the greats throughout her young career, but a recent comparison to Novak Djokovic has turned heads. Following her impressive 2023 season, which included a maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open, Gauff has been told she possesses one specific, elite skill that she executes even better than the 24-time major champion.
The Djokovic Blueprint
Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert, has been instrumental in incorporating strategic elements from the game’s most successful players. Gilbert, a renowned strategist and author of the tennis classic "Winning Ugly," has long been an admirer of Djokovic’s tactical intelligence and physical prowess. In the lead-up to the WTA Finals in Cancún, Gilbert revealed that he has been actively encouraging Gauff to study the Serb’s game, particularly his defensive-to-offensive transitions and his unparalleled sliding technique on hard courts. "We watch a ton of Novak," Gilbert confirmed in an interview.
The focus hasn't been on mimicking Djokovic's entire game, but on adopting specific, high-percentage patterns. Gilbert pointed to Gauff’s improved court positioning and her ability to reset points from defensive positions as key areas of growth inspired by the World No. 1. "It's about understanding why he does what he does," Gilbert explained. "It's problem-solving. It's his ability to make you play one more ball."
The Sliding Revelation
The most striking revelation, however, came from ESPN analyst and former professional player, Patrick McEnroe. While commentating on Gauff’s match at the WTA Finals, McEnroe made a bold declaration. He stated that the 19-year-old American’s sliding technique on hard courts is now superior to that of Djokovic, a player widely regarded as the greatest slider in the history of the sport. "She slides better on the hard court than Novak," McEnroe said without hesitation.
McEnroe elaborated on his surprising claim, breaking down the biomechanics of the slide. He argued that while Djokovic’s slides are iconic for their flexibility and recovery, Gauff’s technique is more efficient and powerful. "Novak gets down so low, but Coco, because she's so strong and athletic, she gets down but she's able to push back up and recover with more power," he detailed.
A New Generation of Athleticism
This isn't just a stylistic preference; McEnroe believes it represents an evolution in the game. He suggested that Gauff’s combination of raw athleticism and refined technique allows her to execute the slide in a way that is more applicable to the modern power game. The key advantages he highlighted include:
- Explosive Recovery: Gauff’s immense lower-body strength enables her to spring back into position more quickly after a slide, turning a defensive move into an immediate offensive opportunity.
- Maintained Balance: Her core stability allows her to stay balanced and ready to hit a forceful shot even as she is sliding, whereas other players might be simply trying to stay in the point.
- Reduced Injury Risk: A more upright and powerful slide, as opposed to an extreme, low-to-the-ground contortion, could potentially place less strain on the joints over a long career.
This skill was on full display during her round-robin victory over Ons Jabeur in Cancún, where Gauff repeatedly used the slide to retrieve drop shots and angled groundstrokes, often responding with winning passes. "It's a weapon for her, not just a recovery tool," McEnroe concluded.
Gauff's Response to the Praise
When informed of McEnroe’s lofty comparison, Gauff reacted with a mix of humility and amusement. "That's a crazy compliment," she laughed during her post-match press conference. "I don't know if I'd go that far. Novak is Novak. I'm just trying to be the best version of Coco."
She did, however, acknowledge the work she has put into her movement, crediting it as a cornerstone of her game. "Movement has always been the best part of my game, since I was a little kid," Gauff stated. "It's something I take pride in because I know that even if my strokes aren't there, I can always rely on my legs and my fight."
The Bigger Picture: A Djokovician Mentality
Beyond the physical comparisons, the most significant parallel being drawn between Gauff and Djokovic is a mental one. Gilbert has been emphasizing the development of a "problem-solving" mindset on the court—a hallmark of Djokovic’s dominance. This involves:
- Adapting to Conditions: Like Djokovic, Gauff is learning to quickly analyze wind, court speed, and an opponent’s tactics and adjust her game plan accordingly.
- Embracing the Grind: Finding a way to win, even without her 'A' game, by making the match physical and mentally taxing for her opponent.
- Clutch Gene: Improving her performance on the biggest points, a statistical area where Djokovic has no peer.
This was evident in her US Open triumph, where she navigated tricky matches against Aryna Sabalenka and Karolina Muchova by relying on her defense, mental fortitude, and ability to elevate her game during critical moments. "That's what the greats do," Gilbert said. "They find a way. And she's learning to do that."
Looking Ahead to 2024
The comparisons to Djokovic, while flattering, also set a new benchmark for the young American. As she heads into the 2024 season, the expectations will be higher than ever. The challenge will be to continue integrating these elite tactical and mental components into her game while maintaining the unique power and athleticism that make her so dangerous.
The ultimate goal, as Gilbert sees it, is not for Gauff to become a female version of Novak Djokovic, but to forge her own path to greatness by learning from the best. "You take the pieces that work for you and you build your own masterpiece," he remarked.
For now, the tennis world is watching a prodigy mature in real-time, armed with a world-class slide and a growing appreciation for the cerebral side of the sport. The fact that she is being discussed in the same breath as Novak Djokovic for any aspect of her game is a testament to her rapid ascent and her limitless potential. As one chapter of her career closes with a Grand Slam victory, another, even more promising one, is just beginning.