Ranking top ten WTA players who have yet to win a major: Coco Gauff

Coming in at the number 8 spot of the top ten players to have yet to win a Grand Slam is rising superstar Coco Gauff. Still a teenager, Gauff has weathered the storm of impossible expectations to create a stunning first few years on tour.

She has risen as high as number 4 in the singles rankings and number 1 in the doubles rankings. Barring significant injury or tragedy, Gauff should remain in the upper echelon of the game for many years.

Gauff reached the final of the 2022 French Open, where she fell to a red-hot Iga Swiatek. She also advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2021 and 2023 French Opens and the 2022 US Open. Gauff’s game is more suited to slower courts, which is why she has succeeded more at the French and US Opens, the two slowest of the four majors.

Coco Gauff will win a major, but it may take some time

With Gauff, the better question is not if she will win a major, but when. Gauff is already one of the best athletes on tour and has a world-quality backhand. She also possesses an underrated serve, she is not afraid to come forward, and her maturity on the court is well above her years. Her main issue has been her forehand.

Gauff has a western grip and a large swing on her forehand. Both the grip and the swing mean that when balls are hit hard into her forehand corner, her timing has to be perfect. Clay courts and slower hard courts give her more time on the forehand side and opponents are less able to rush her. But, on the quicker surfaces, the forehand has been an issue.

Forehand issues aside, Gauff is simply way too talented not to win at least one singles major. Her forehand doesn’t need to be a big weapon; it just needs to not be a weakness. Gauff only finds herself so low on this list because her time on tour is merely a fraction of most of the other players.

Likelihood to win a major: Almost certainly

Top ten list so far:

10. Paula Badosa

9. Maria Sakkari

8. Coco Gauff