Coco Gauff Reveals Alcaraz Helped Her With Training Struggles

Coco Gauff has revealed how a private conversation with Carlos Alcaraz helped her feel better about struggling with a challenging tennis training drill ahead of her fifth consecutive WTA Finals appearance. The American, who has often praised the Spaniard’s playing style and personality, admitted that she initially found the exercise difficult after repeatedly hitting one of the poles used during the routine.

Gauff explained that her fitness coach, Fabian, had introduced the drill to improve her spacing and coordination. After sharing videos of her attempts on Instagram Stories, she received a message from Alcaraz, who told her that he had also struggled with the exercise when he first tried it.

Coco Gauff shares Carlos Alcaraz training drill struggles

Before travelling to Indian Wells, Gauff posted clips on her Instagram Stories showing a shadow tennis drill involving three poles topped with tennis balls. The poles were positioned around the baseline, with one on either side and a taller pole placed near the T.

The exercise required Gauff to perform a shadow forehand towards the first pole, recover towards the middle for a backhand and then execute a jumping forehand towards the higher target. The routine was designed to challenge her movement, spacing and coordination.

Gauff initially struggled to complete the sequence without hitting a pole. She shared the footage online and tagged Alcaraz, jokingly suggesting that the Spaniard was responsible for her difficult training experience.

“The type of stuff my coach makes me do when I’m tryna be nonchalant @carlitosalcarazz look what you have done smh,” Coco Gauff posted on her Instagram Story.

A second clip showed the American clipping one of the poles during the drill. Her humorous reaction made it clear that she was not finding the exercise easy, despite its apparent simplicity.

Private conversation with Alcaraz makes Gauff feel better

Speaking during her pre-tournament press conference at the WTA Finals, Gauff explained that the drill had been introduced by her fitness coach Fabian. She initially misunderstood its purpose, thinking it was related to wrist training, before learning that it focused on spacing and coordination with the ball.

The World No. 4 admitted that she did not enjoy the exercise at first because she repeatedly hit the poles. However, a conversation with Alcaraz helped her realise that struggling with the drill was not unusual.

“It was actually neither. It was my fitness coach Fabian. I was thinking it was just for, like, his wrist. It was actually working on spacing, coordination with the ball and stuff. Actually I didn’t like it at first because I kept hitting the pole. Then I started to like it. I actually like talked to Carlos a little bit. He said he was messing up in the beginning a lot first, too, so that made me feel better about myself,” Gauff said.

Gauff also revealed that members of her team had encouraged her to master the exercise by pointing to Alcaraz’s ability to perform it. However, she joked that comparing herself with the Spaniard was not necessarily fair.

“My team was like, If Carlos can do it, you can do it. I’m like, He’s Carlos and I’m me. He doesn’t post his bloopers,” she added.

The American further disclosed that Alcaraz had contacted her after seeing the videos she posted online. She wanted confirmation that the Spaniard had also experienced similar difficulties when learning the drill.

“Yeah, after I posted it. He messaged me. I had to get confirmation to make sure I wasn’t the only one messing up,” she said.

The exchange helped Gauff feel more comfortable with the training exercise and highlighted the friendly relationship between two of tennis’s leading young stars.

Coco Gauff admires Carlos Alcaraz’s happiness on court

Gauff’s admiration for Alcaraz extends beyond his training methods and tennis ability. The American has previously spoken about how the Spaniard’s positive attitude and visible enjoyment during matches have influenced her own approach to competing.

During a press conference at the 2025 French Open, Gauff explained that she had tried to follow Alcaraz’s example by bringing more enjoyment and smiles to the court. She said his attitude had encouraged her to remember that tennis is ultimately a game and that enjoying the experience can help a player perform better.

“So, yeah, it’s something I do try to model off of him. I have told him that I have tried to, like, have fun on the court like him and smile as much as he does, and that is something that he inspires me to do that more. Just enjoy the life in general, I find you play better,” Coco Gauff said.

She also acknowledged that matching Alcaraz’s cheerful personality on court would be difficult because she is naturally more serious during matches.

“Yeah, for sure, I think he has a great philosophy, and it is something that I am trying to model. I don’t think I’ll be out there smiling as much as Carlos does, sometimes when he lose and wins a match, but every now and then to try to crack some in. I’m usually a more serious person on the court, but I try to remember that it’s just a game and try to treat it like that,” she added.

Gauff’s comments showed that Alcaraz’s influence on her goes beyond technical aspects of the sport. His ability to enjoy competing, regardless of the pressure involved, is something she has tried to incorporate into her own game.

Gauff and Alcaraz both enjoyed French Open success

Both players enjoyed successful campaigns at the 2025 French Open, leaving Paris with major trophies. Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka to win her second Grand Slam title, while Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in the men’s final the following day.

Their achievements during the same fortnight added another memorable chapter to their respective careers. Gauff’s victory over Sabalenka underlined her ability to deliver on the biggest stages, while Alcaraz’s triumph over Sinner further strengthened his position among the leading players in men’s tennis.

Alcaraz reaches Paris Masters semifinals as Gauff prepares for WTA Finals

Alcaraz is currently competing at the Paris Masters, the final Masters 1000 tournament of the season. The Spaniard has secured a place in the semifinals, where he is scheduled to face Casper Ruud.

Meanwhile, Gauff is preparing to begin her campaign at the WTA Finals as she targets a second title at the season-ending tournament. She is set to face Jessica Pegula in her opening match on Sunday.

As Gauff prepares for another appearance among the world’s leading players, her comments about Alcaraz offer an insight into the influence that fellow professionals can have beyond match results. The Spaniard’s message helped her feel better about a difficult training drill, while his approach to enjoying tennis continues to inspire her on court.