Follow us on Google Discover Coco Gauff has been compared to 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
Gauff won the Wuhan Open earlier this month, and she now only has one tournament left this year.
This was the American’s second title in 2025, adding to Gauff winning the French Open earlier this year.
Gauff is often discussed regarding her serving frailties, but 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova believes she also has a trait that is better than anyone else on the WTA Tour.
Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for the International Tennis Hall of FameMartina Navratilova says what Coco Gauff does that is like Novak Djokovic
Gauff recently admitted to learning from Djokovic in regards to his serve, but Navratilova seems to believe that they have a trait that is more comparable.
When speaking to WTATour.com ahead of the year-end WTA Finals, Navratilova praised Gauff for her serving improvements and also claimed she has the best movement on tour.
Navratilova also compared Gauff’s backhand to Djokovic, but suggested that it may be even more powerful than the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
“She’s played nine hard-court finals and won them all. That’s crazy,” said Navratilova. “One of those was last year in Riyadh, so look out if she gets rolling again. Her backhand is like Djokovic’s — maybe with even more power. It’s money.
“When the serve is happening, it’s a real weapon, and I’m glad she’s figuring that out. Her movement is better than anybody else. She can always depend on that. It’s the one thing fully under her control. She knows she can run and defend no matter what. Then she manages the rest.
“When she comes forward, she has a very good volley and it’s hard to get the ball past her. She just won in Wuhan, so she should be confident.”
Martina Navratilova suggests the player who she thinks is the favourite to win the WTA Finals
Gauff won the WTA Finals for the first time last year, and is coming into the year-end tournament in strong form once again.
Despite this, Navratilova has suggested that world number one Aryna Sabalenka will be the favourite for any tournament she plays at the moment.
“Incredibly consistent and excellent,” Navratilova said about Sabalenka. “One major win, two finals and a semifinal. She was only three or four matches from winning the Grand Slam. Her consistency is not to be underestimated. There are so many players you can lose to these days, you have to be on your game at all times, and she was.
“She peaked well for all the majors. She’s still rueing the French Open more than anything. She could have won that match against Coco Gauff. But she bounced back and reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, where she was beaten by Amanda Anisimova rather than beating herself. Then she won the US Open pretty decisively.
“She’s the heavy favorite on any surface, but particularly on a medium-pace hard court where you get a solid bounce and good footing. Her shots pay off on any surface and she has enough time to get into position. It’s fast enough for her to do damage and slow enough for her to prepare for her shots. She’s deadly on this stuff.”
Sabalenka has never won the WTA Finals before, but she reached the final when the tournament was held in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2022.
Gauff, Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini will all compete at the WTA Finals, which begins on Saturday, November 2.