Coco Gauff’s impressive run at the Dubai Tennis Championships concluded with a tense semifinal loss to Elina Svitolina on February 20, 2026. The world No. 4 was defeated 4-6, 7-6, 4-6 after nearly three hours of intense play, falling short despite battling back from multiple match points in the second set tie-break. Gauff’s serve struggles played a key role in her defeat, as Svitolina secured her first Dubai final appearance in close to ten years. The match highlighted Gauff’s ongoing challenges with her serving technique amid pressure.
Breakdown of an Emotional Moment on Court
During the crucial second set, frustration overwhelmed Gauff following one of her many double faults. She was overheard expressing her feelings aloud, saying,
“I’ve been doing everything you’ve wanted for the last six months…”
She then muttered under her breath,
“And it’s gotten not better at all, bro.”
These remarks appeared aimed at Gavin MacMillan, the biomechanics expert Gauff engaged before the 2023 US Open to assist with improving her serve. Her outburst revealed the tension between her dedication to technique adjustments and the disappointing results during the match.
Ongoing Serve Difficulties Highlighted by Double Faults
Gauff’s serve has been a persistent hurdle throughout her career, and 2023 was no exception, with over 300 double faults recorded on the WTA Tour. Bringing MacMillan onto her team reflected a strategic effort to address this weakness, especially given his previous success helping Aryna Sabalenka overhaul her own serve in 2022. However, despite this expertise, Gauff’s serving woes continued in Dubai, where the costly double faults contributed significantly to her loss against Svitolina.
Past Instances of Tension with Coaching Staff
This incident was not isolated in exposing Gauff’s frustrations with her support team. At the 2023 US Open, while playing under the guidance of Brad Gilbert, she was caught telling him mid-match to “Stop talking.” These moments of visible strain underscore the ongoing struggle between Gauff’s expectations for performance improvement and the sometimes difficult process of adapting her game to new coaching input and strategies.
Impact of the Result on Tournament Dynamics
Gauff’s departure prevented an all-American final, as Jessica Pegula triumphed over Amanda Anisimova in the other semifinal. With Svitolina set to face Pegula for the championship, Gauff now faces a period of reflection on her serve issues and the emotional strain such setbacks bring. As the world No. 4 continues to seek stability in this vital element of her game, the match serves as a reminder of the challenges elite players endure while refining their skills amid high-stakes competition.
“I’ve been doing everything you’ve wanted for the last six months…”
— Coco Gauff, following a double fault against Elina Svitolina in Dubai
“Stop talking.”
— Coco Gauff, to Brad Gilbert during the 2023 US Open match
Coco Gauff after hitting a double fault against Elina Svitolina in Dubai
"I've been doing everything you've wanted for the last 6 months…"
This is presumably to her biomechanics expert, Gavin MacMillan, who she hired before the US Open last season to help with her serve. pic.twitter.com/eobBoCyHDP
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) February 20, 2026
