Coco Gauff faced an unexpected exit in the fourth round of the Canadian Open this year, suffering a loss to the rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko. Mboko, a young player making rapid strides up the WTA rankings, managed to outplay Gauff in a clear upset. Despite this loss, Gauff has distanced herself from direct comparisons with Mboko, understanding the challenges of climbing the ranks from a young age.

Throughout her matches in Montreal, Gauff struggled notably with double faults, although this issue was less pronounced in her defeat to Mboko.

Following this surprising exit, Lindsay Davenport, the Billie Jean King Cup captain and former world number one, has shared her insights on what lies ahead for Gauff. Davenport’s evaluation highlights Gauff’s current position and possible next steps as she aims to regain her top form.

Gauff’s recent performance has been inconsistent since her major triumph at Roland Garros in May, where she achieved a significant milestone. Since then, she has won only two of her last five matches, including a disappointing first-round loss at Wimbledon. Davenport addressed this slump and praised Gauff’s competitiveness during her earlier rounds at the Canadian Open but stressed the need for improvement to reach the pinnacle of women’s tennis once again.

Speaking on the Tennis Channel Live podcast, Davenport suggested that Gauff’s reaction to the defeat would be immediate and focused.

It’s not a perfect situation for her to be unhooked,

said Davenport.

I mean, the pressure’s off. She’s won her second major, but when you’ve won majors and your goal is to be number one in the world and to be the best, this is not okay.

Davenport elaborated that Gauff’s mindset is unlikely to settle for recent victories as justification to ease up.

Yeah, I mean, Gauff could tell herself, ‘Oh, well, don’t worry I just won Roland Garros’… That’s not how a champion’s mind works.

Davenport stated.

No question she is like, ‘Okay, I got to get better for the U.S. Open. It’s got to start now’. I’d imagine she’s back on the practice court today or tomorrow working on things to try and get some momentum in Cincy.

While it is unconfirmed whether Gauff immediately returned to singles practice, she continues to compete in the doubles draw at the Canadian Open. Partnering with American McCartney Kessler, Gauff has reached the semifinals, showing her versatility on the court even amid singles challenges.

Gauff’s mixed results and expectations heading into the Cincinnati Open

The Cincinnati Open represents Gauff’s next opportunity to find form in singles competition. This tournament holds special significance as she claimed the WTA 1000 title there in 2023, the same year she lifted the US Open trophy. Despite this success, Gauff’s overall record in Cincinnati has been uneven in other years.

To date, she has won six of her ten matches at this event, but only one victory outside of 2023’s championship run. At 21 years old, Gauff is looking to replicate the performance and confidence that helped her secure the title last year.

The Cincinnati Open is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 7, and it will be closely watched to see whether Gauff can turn her recent struggles around. Her performance here could set the tone for the rest of the season, especially with the US Open looming as a major target.

The significance of Gauff’s Canadian Open exit for her near-term goals

Coco Gauff’s early departure from the Canadian Open adds pressure as she aims to consolidate her status as one of tennis’s leading players. Despite recent setbacks, her champion mindset, as described by Davenport, suggests she will respond swiftly and work hard to regain momentum. The upcoming Cincinnati Open will serve as a crucial testing ground to assess her readiness ahead of the US Open.

Moreover, Gauff’s involvement in the doubles semifinals at the Canadian Open shows her competitive spirit remains strong, giving her additional matches and experience as she recalibrates her form. The road back to the top of the WTA rankings requires overcoming obstacles like the recent Canadian Open loss, but with the support of her team and mental resilience, Gauff is expected to make necessary adjustments in the days ahead.