Venus gives reasons why she can’t coach Coco Gauff

Tennis icon Venus Williams has revealed why she would never consider coaching Coco Gauff as she discussed the world No. 2’s hopes of winning a first French Open title.

Gauff is among the leading contenders for the Roland Garros title in 2025, with the 21-year-old having reached the Madrid and Rome finals this clay swing.

The American also has an encouraging record on the Parisian clay, reaching four straight quarter-finals from 2021-24, including a run to the final in 2022.

Gauff and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams have often been compared, with the two famously playing doubles together at the French Open back in 2021.

Gauff also famously beat the tennis icon at Wimbledon in 2019, before a second win over her compatriot at the 2020 Australian Open.

Williams also has a losing record against the seventh seed and fellow American Madison Keys, trailing 2-4 in their head-to-head.

And, speaking on TNT Sports, the 44-year-old revealed it would be challenging to mentor either woman, having played against them.

“You know what? I was always playing against them,” said Williams.

“So, I never really got the chance to give them much advice. They were playing so well.

“I lost to both of them. So, it’s not easy to be in that position where you mentor and you’re playing against someone, but these girls know what they’re doing.”

Gauff is already a Grand Slam champion in both singles and doubles, winning the 2023 US Open singles title and the 2024 French Open doubles title alongside Katerina Siniakova.

The 21-year-old has not reached a major singles final since her US Open victory and has not reached a Grand Slam semi-final since Roland Garros twelve months ago.

Gauff has also not won a title since her stunning WTA Finals triumph at the end of 2024, though her runner-up finishes in Madrid and Rome will have provided a significant confidence boost.

Much like Gauff, Williams knows what it is like to lose in a French Open final, having been beaten by her sister Serena back in the 2002 final.

And the former world No. 1 has urged Gauff not to be “too hard on herself” in her quest to win the singles title for the first time over the coming fortnight.

Williams added: “I love her [Gauff’s] passion. I think sometimes she is too hard on herself. I think she has just got to let go and allow herself to do what she can do.

“She has such big expectations of herself, so I would love to see her win here.

“She has come close. I came close, too. Coming close is not the goal, though, I know she wants to win.”

Gauff has looked in sublime form over her first two matches, beating Olivia Gadecki in round one before an impressive 6-2, 6-4 over Tereza Valentova on Thursday.

The second seed will return to court on Saturday for a third-round clash against Marie Bouzkova.