Coco Gauff has called attention to one particularly confusing aspect of tennis amid her chaotic campaign at the 2026 Italian Open. The American shared her candid thoughts on the tennis scoring system after triumphing over Sorana Cîrstea and advancing to the final of the WTA 1000 event in Rome.
Coco Gauff Details Why the Tennis Scoring System Needs to Change
Although Gauff has booked her spot in the Italian Open final, her journey has been anything but straightforward. After commencing her campaign with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Tereza Valentová, the No. 3 seed was pushed to the limit in subsequent rounds.
The 22-year-old rallied from a set down to defeat Solana Sierra 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 in the third round before fending off a match point in her 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 triumph over Iva Jovic in the Round of 16. She also needed three sets to beat Mirra Andreeva, securing a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 win.
However, the world No. 4 finally bucked the turbulent trend during her semifinal showdown against Sorana Cîrstea, cruising to a 6-4, 6-3 win to reach the Rome final for the second year in a row.
During her post-match press conference, Gauff was asked about the unique tennis scoring system in light of the “crazy” matches she has experienced in Rome. While acknowledging that the format can be both “brutal” and rewarding, the American also highlighted how confusing it can be for fans and called for certain changes.
“Yeah, it is very brutal at times, and also favorable at times. I think the uniqueness about our sport is literally it’s not over until it’s over. If there’s anything I would change about the scoring? Maybe, like, the way the games are 15-Love, 30-Love. That doesn’t make any sense to me. It’s so hard to explain that to people. It’s 15-30, but it goes to 40. Why? I don’t know, 1-0, 1-All situation. At least make it incrementally. It should be 45, not 40,” she said.
Coco Gauff’s Mindset Ahead of Her French Open Title Defense
Following her campaign in Rome, Gauff will enter the French Open as the defending champion, with the weight of defending 2,000 points. After raising her concerns about the scoring system, the American disclosed why she no longer allows herself to get bogged down by the pressure of the points system.
“I mean, I think I used to get caught up in the point system and things like that, just trying to defend. Now when you really think about it, the season’s from January to November. If you’re doing the right things on the practice court and on court, and you’re healthy, you have the chance to win those points throughout the year,” Coco Gauff said.
The world No. 4 emphasized that the rankings will not be her focus at the clay-court Major, instead choosing to ensure she has the right mindset while chasing her third Grand Slam title.
“Now when I go into Roland Garros, I’m not even thinking about ranking or anything. I want to make sure I mentally approach that tournament in the correct way. If I lose first round, I mentally give it my all, it’s okay, I learned from it. I definitely don’t want to be thinking about what if, what if I lose or what if I this. I just want to take it one match at a time,” she added.
Before Paris, however, Coco Gauff’s attention will be firmly fixed on her highly anticipated showdown with Elina Svitolina in the Rome final. It will mark their third meeting of this season, with Svitolina emerging victorious at both the Australian Open and the Dubai Tennis Championships. To capture her maiden Italian Open title, Gauff will need to be at her best to overcome the in-form Ukrainian.
