Coco Gauff calls for change to one tennis rule that ‘doesn’t make any sense’

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

Coco Gauff has been in strong form lately, continuing what’s shaping up to be a solid 2026 season.

This weekend, she’ll have a chance to pick up her first WTA 1000 title of the year, and it happens to be at the same event where she came close last season.

That time, Jasmine Paolini came out on top, winning the trophy in front of her home fans.

This time around, it’s Elina Svitolina who stands in Gauff’s way.

But before that matchup gets underway, Gauff was talking about something she feels is odd about the sport as a whole. The 2023 US Open champion believes tennis could make some changes that would help casual viewers understand things better.

Coco Gauff suggests tennis should change this rule

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

During her press conference, a journalist pointed out just how unforgiving tennis scoring can be.

Gauff agreed and when asked if she’d make any changes, she had an idea in mind.

She first stated: “Yeah, it is very brutal at times, and also favourable at times. I think the uniqueness about our sport is literally it’s not over until it’s over.”

The world number three then added: “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 so yeah.”

Svitolina has already shared what she plans to do ahead of their matchup.

Coco Gauff makes suggestion for rule change in tennis

During her press conference, a reporter pointed out how unforgiving tennis scoring can be.

Gauff agreed and offered an idea when asked if she’d make any changes to it.

She started by saying: “Yeah, it is very brutal at times, and also favourable at times. I think the uniqueness about our sport is literally it’s not over until it’s over.”

The American then continued: “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, so yeah.”

Svitolina has already outlined what she will definitely do before the match against Gauff.

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