Cori Gauff comments on working with ex-Serena Williams coach during French Open

Cori Gauff reveals she will be assisted by coach Patrick Mouratoglou during the French Open as she believes the former Serena Williams coach is the perfect person to have during this time of the season. 

Just before the start of the clay season, Gauff and coach Diego Moyano ended their partnership. 

Gauff, the 2022 French Open runner-up, has known coach Mouratoglou for nearly a decade and she asked if he was willing to assist her at least through the clay season. 

“We started after Madrid, and it was just through the clay season he’s helping me out. I’m going in between coaches, to be honest. I haven’t really found a full-time coach, I guess. Obviously, he’s still with Holger (Rune). But I have a great relationship with Patrick. I have known him since I was 10 years old and obviously been on the court with him before. I thought he would be a perfect person to help me during this time. I’m looking forward to the next two weeks with him,” Gauff said, via Tennis Majors.

Gauff thinks her forehand is a strength on clay

Gauff is a Grand Slam finalist and a top-10 player but it feels that her progress has stalled a bit for the past couple of months. 

So far this year, Gauff has heard many times tennis experts and analysts pointing out her forehand as the reason why she is unable to reach that next level. 

However, Gauff believes her forehand is actually a strong weapon on this surface.

“Obviously the forehand is something that I have to improve on, but on clay especially I feel like it’s one of my weapons. Last year, I won a lot of points using that heavy forehand, and I think that that’s something I continue to do this year. Right now, I feel like my forehand is a strength on clay. In all my practice matches, obviously I have the advantage. I know where they’re going to play me, which is a lot, as some players don’t know that. I know exactly what they’re going to do and now it’s all about executing it. So, I guess in a way I’m using it more as a strength. Obviously, it’s something I need to work on, but I have to work on everything,” Gauff said.

Gauff plays Rebeka Masarova in the French Open first round.