“I don’t pray for results. I just ask that I get the strength to give it my all and whatever happens happens,” said then-19-year-old Coco Gauff during the award ceremony of the 2023 US Open. A devout Christian, Coco Gauff‘s humility is rooted deep in her community. In early August that year, she credited God and her “church family” with helping her refocus after losing in the first round at Wimbledon and win a tournament in Washington, D.C. Despite her $34.4 million earnings in 2024, Gauff prioritizes her faith, taking time for reflection before the Doha WTA event.

The Delay Beach native has never shied from expressing her faith both on and off the court. During a conversation with the New York Times in 2019, Gauff emphasised the importance of prayer in her life, a tradition she religiously follows with her dad, Corey. “Before every match since I was 8, my dad and I say a prayer together. We don’t pray about victory, just that me and my opponent stay safe. After the match, I was just thanking God for this opportunity.”

Days after her Australian Open dream run was cut short in the quarterfinals, Gauff is ready to bounce back at the Qatar Open. Amidst her training, the World No. 3 took to her Instagram account to share a picture of her indulging in the Bible Study. The tranquil setting came against the backdrop of the tepid waters of the Persian Gulf, highlighting a serene escape from the Middle East heat.

For those unaware, one of her most powerful displays of faith came with her historic US Open triumph in 2023. Rushed with emotions, the American superstar kneeled and bowed her head in prayer at the Arthur Ashe Stadium before her maiden Grand Slam coronation. She later told ESPN’s Mary Jo Fernandez – “It’s been so important. I’m so blessed in this life. So I’m just thankful for this moment. I don’t have any words for it, to be honest.”

However, her faith won’t be enough if she wants to dominate Slams. Even American legend Serena Williams‘ ex-coach disclosed the key areas that need the young talent’s attention.

Serena Williams’s former coach reveals critical insight into Coco Gauff’s gameplay improvement

American superstar Coco Gauff went through a massive coaching change last year. She parted ways with ex-coach Brad Gilbert after her serving woes took a toll on her performance. To prevent a further dip in form, the 20-year-old joined forces with technique correction specialist Matt Daly. And her swift decision did not disappoint.

Gauff came back stronger and lifted the China Open title, before capping the season with the year-end WTA Finals victory in Riyadh. However, Serena Williams’s childhood coach Rick Macci believes that although the World No. 3 has ‘unlimited potential’, she still needs to focus on improving her second serve and forehand if she wants to add more to her Slam record.

“Coco has unlimited potential and her game can grow because wheels/backbone has been her calling card,” he wrote on X. “Here to stay and if second serve is biomechanically tweaked and forehand simplified and shoots lower over the net like a rocket many Slams will be in her pocket,” Macci added.

Moreover, Gauff also admitted that she has “a lot more work to do” following her Melbourne exit in January.

For now, the 20-year-old receives a bye in the opening round of the Doha event. The third seed is slated to lock horns with the winner of Marta Kostyuk and Zeynep Sonmez in the R32 on Tuesday, February 11.