Rennae Stubbs Warns Coco Gauff Over Physical Toll of Three-Set Matches at Italian Open

Former Grand Slam champion Rennae Stubbs has issued a warning to tennis star Coco Gauff regarding her playing style during the 2026 Italian Open. Stubbs highlights concerns over Gauff's tendency to engage in prolonged three-set matches, noting that the American has logged nearly nine hours on court, significantly more than other semifinalists. While Gauff's youth currently allows her to recover quickly, Stubbs cautions that this heavy physical workload could lead to chronic injuries and performance issues as she ages into her late twenties and thirties. Specific technical flaws in Gauff's serve, particularly her grip, were also identified as areas needing adjustment to reduce stress on her body. Despite these concerns, Gauff has successfully advanced to the semifinals, maintaining her top-four WTA ranking ahead of the French Open. She is set to face Sorana Cirstea, who has spent considerably less time on court. The analysis underscores the strategic need for Gauff to streamline her matches to ensure long-term career sustainability and physical health.