Kim Clijsters says what Coco Gauff needs to do next time she faces Iga Swiatek to stand a chance of winning

Despite reaching the semi-finals, it still felt like Coco Gauff didn’t quite reach the heights that many had hoped she would at Roland Garros.

And whilst she was thwarted by Iga Swiatek, which is nothing to be ashamed of, the manner in which she was comfortably dispatched disappointed.

Naomi Osaka had shown exactly how to disrupt the world number one, but Gauff just could not follow suit, and despite winning the doubles title, her chance to reach a singles final she likely would have won was scuppered.

Fortunately, given their respective youth, she will have many opportunities to make amends over the next decade or so, and Gauff did at least get branded the best doubles player on tour by Sam Querry.

Speaking on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, Kim Clijsters and Andy Roddick could not have discussed the French Open without handing out huge praise to the women’s winner.

Swiatek was imperious on her route to the final, and despite Jasmine Paolini’s fine run, she never stood a chance. But, then again, neither did Gauff.

The 20-year-old was brushed aside by the world number one in straight sets, and led these two pundits to question what went wrong.

They landed on Swiatek’s brilliance as a huge factor, but Clijsters did have some advice for Gauff going into their next clash: ‘I see from the point of what could damage Iga a bit more is if you could attack her forehand, not just once or twice but keep going, three or four times in a row and put a lot of pressure on that side.

PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 08: Iga Swiatek of Poland holds the Womens Singles Trophy after defeating Jasmine Paolini of Italy for the title on Day 14 of Roland Garros 2024 (Fred Mullane/ISI Photos)

‘I do feel at times on the faster surfaces that is the shot that does break down, so if you look at what would be a good tactic for Coco, I do think it is attacking the forehand with a lot of stubbornness and just be like I am going to keep going, I am going to break her down and make her doubt that shot because it’s happened.’

Admittedly, we have just come off her favourite swing of the tour, given her preference for clay, but that still does not downplay the utter dominance she exhibited in the surface’s biggest events.

Kickstarting in Stuttgart, she was felled by Elena Rybakina in the semi-final of the WTA 500 tournament ahead of two larger events before Roland Garros.

It was always expected that she would thrive at the latter, as she sought to secure her third title in a row, but in Madrid and Rome, it was expected that it would be anyone’s game.

PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Coco Gauff of United States and Katerina Siniakova of Czechia celebrate with the trophy after victory against Jasmine Paolini of Italy and Sara Errani of Italy in the Women’s Doubles Final match on Day 15 of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)

That proved not to be the case, as she eased to victory at both WTA 1000 events, beating Aryna Sabalenka in both finals, and Gauff in the semi-finals in Italy.

Swiatek would also knock out the American at the same stage in Paris, emphasising her dominance.

Whilst the grass has never been the Polish powerhouse’s favourite surface, given the form she is in, it is hard to discount her from any match. She seems impossible to beat, and not only will players like Gauff have to overcome her talent, but the fierce and frightening reputation she has amassed now as well.