{"id":1945607,"date":"2026-05-20T13:15:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T10:15:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1945607"},"modified":"2026-05-20T13:15:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T10:15:46","slug":"coco-gauff-told-to-learn-from-elina-svitolinas-approach-after-overcoming-biggest-weakness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1945607","title":{"rendered":"Coco Gauff told to learn from Elina Svitolina&#8217;s approach after overcoming &#8216;biggest weakness&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">Coco Gauff told to learn from Elina Svitolina\u2019s approach after overcoming \u2018biggest weakness\u2019<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/tennis365\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Tennis365                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"20 May 2026 2:15 PM\" data-ps-date=\"20 May 2026 2:15 PM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1779282946\"><br \/>\n                            20 May 2026 2:15 PM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/coco-gauff-told-learn-elina-svitolinas-approach-overcoming-biggest-weakness\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to facebook\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fcoco-gauff-told-learn-elina-svitolinas-approach-overcoming-biggest-weakness\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to twitter\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fcoco-gauff-told-learn-elina-svitolinas-approach-overcoming-biggest-weakness\" class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" aria-label=\"Share to linkedin\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/\/send\/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fcoco-gauff-told-learn-elina-svitolinas-approach-overcoming-biggest-weakness\" aria-label=\"Share to whatsapp\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fcoco-gauff-told-learn-elina-svitolinas-approach-overcoming-biggest-weakness\" aria-label=\"Share to flipboard\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_dark.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/preferred_source_badge_light.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn-hidden\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"Coco Gauff told to learn from Elina Svitolina\u2019s approach after overcoming \u2018biggest weakness\u2019\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Coco-Gauff-and-Elina-Svitolina-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured: Coco Gauff and Elina Svitolina\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Coco Gauff and Elina Svitolina                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\"><!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p>Elina Svitolina has been praised for reinventing herself after her title-winning run in Rome, while Coco Gauff has been told to learn from the Ukrainian ahead of the French Open.<\/p>\n<p>That is according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/kim-clijsters\">Kim Clijsters<\/a>, who thinks Svitolina is now proving she can hang with big hitters such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/aryna-sabalenka\">Aryna Sabalenka<\/a> and Elena Rybakina after evolving from being more of a counter-puncher.<\/p>\n<p>After beating the likes of Gauff, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/iga-swiatek\">Iga Swiatek<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/elena-rybakina\">Rybakina<\/a> at the Italian Open, Clijsters pointed out that the 31-year-old has beefed up her forehand and is happy to be the aggressor in points.<\/p>\n<p>The four-time major winner also suggested that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/coco-gauff\">Gauff<\/a> may be relying too much on her athleticism, rather than imposing her game on the opposition as she tries to defend her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/french-open\">French Open<\/a> title.<\/p>\n<p>She said on the latest episode of <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nrL3F_SBhHU\" target=\"_blank\">Love All<\/a>, \u201cShe definitely re-invented herself when it comes to the way she hits her forehand, like she never did before, or at least not as consistent as she is now.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>More WTA News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/french-open\/2026-french-open-entry-list-prize-money-ranking-points-sabalenka-top-seed-gauff-defending-champion\">2026 French Open Entry List, Ranking Points, Prize Money: Sabalenka No 1, defending champion Gauff No 4<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/kim-clijsters-weird-revelation-aryna-sabalenkas-french-open-chances\">Aryna Sabalenka sent French Open warning as world No 1 named as third favourite<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as<span>\u00a0<\/span><a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen she was working with Raemon Sluiter (up until July 2024), I think there was a big switch that happened in her. You cannot win these big tournaments unless you become the one that\u2019s attacking.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe has great legs, she\u2019s fit, she can play seven three-setters in a Grand Slam if she has to and be totally fine. If you don\u2019t have the power to compete against these top, top players now, the Sabalenkas, the Igas, the Rybakinas, like that was her biggest weakness.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe\u2019s been really able to adjust that. That\u2019s something where I feel like she\u2019s made the biggest jump in the last couple of years since she had her daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In 2022, Svitolina took a break from tennis to give birth to her first child. While she hasn\u2019t matched her career-high ranking of three, set back in 2017, the world No 7 may be playing the best tennis of her life.<\/p>\n<p>And while Gauff\u2019s run to the final in Rome was encouraging, Clijsters thinks Svitolina\u2019s extra sense of urgency is something the American can learn from. Indeed, th<\/p>\n<p>She added, \u201cI had to learn to play closer on top of my baseline. Once I felt that, then the combination of physically being able to play tennis, where you\u2019re on top of your baseline, reading your opponents, being strong and fit enough to get in and out of the corners. It takes time and work physically.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut that\u2019s what I noticed in the finals. Svitolina does that better than Coco, because Coco goes get pulled back. She runs so well from side to side and even if she has a drop shot, she can get there most of the time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo I think you can kind of forget that you have to move back in closer because you feel comfortable as you have a little bit more time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel like the game has changed so much and you have to be able to be the aggressor. If you\u2019re playing a metre or a foot behind the baseline, a foot makes a big difference across the net; for your opponents, the intensity of your shot and the way that you\u2019re using your angles. The pressure on your opponent makes such a big difference.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Svitolina, who is now coached by Andrew Bettles, will hope to win her first Grand Slam title as the French Open rears into view.<\/p>\n<p><strong>WHAT NEXT? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/brad-gilbert-urges-coco-gauff-serve-adjustment-french-open\">Coco Gauff\u2019s ex-coach says serving tweak can \u2018up her mojo\u2019 ahead of French Open<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- Article End --><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Coco Gauff told to learn from Elina Svitolina\u2019s approach after overcoming \u2018biggest weakness\u2019 Tennis365 20 May 2026 2:15 PM Coco Gauff and Elina Svitolina Elina Svitolina has been praised for reinventing herself after her title-winning run in Rome, while Coco Gauff has been told to learn from the Ukrainian ahead of the French Open. That [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-1945607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1945607","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1945607"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1945607\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1945607"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1945607"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1945607"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}