The tennis legend compares the 21-year-old female star to the icon Djokovic, highlighting a special similarity.

The 2025 Roland Garros champion is set to enter the WTA Finals in impressive form. Previously, she overcame Iga Swiatek in the 2024 final, becoming the youngest player to win the year-end championship since Maria Sharapova in 2004. This feat also made her the first American to claim the prestigious trophy since Serena Williams in 2014.

Before the tournament, legend Martina Navratilova noted that Gauff shares traits with Djokovic — persistence and the ability to shift the momentum of a match. Navratilova believes that if Gauff can improve her serve, it will become her most effective weapon on court. Regarding Gauff’s chances at the WTA Finals, the former Czech-American player commented:

"She has played 9 hard-court finals and won all of them. It’s incredible. One of those was in Riyadh last year. If she gets back into form, watch out. Her backhand resembles Djokovic’s — it might even be stronger. It’s flawless," Navratilova said (according to WTA Tennis).

She continued: "When her serve is effective, it truly becomes a weapon. I’m pleased to see her gradually understanding that. Gauff’s movement is better than anyone else’s; she can completely rely on it — that’s the only aspect fully under her control."

"She knows she can run and defend in every situation, then adjust other factors accordingly. When she approaches the net, her volley skills are excellent and very difficult for opponents to overcome. She just won in Wuhan, so she has every reason to be confident."

The remarks from the 18-time Grand Slam champion are not only encouragement but also acknowledgement of Coco Gauff’s significant development. At only 21 years old, Gauff is proving herself as a worthy heir to the golden era of American tennis, with a powerful, resilient, and increasingly polished playing style — a reflection in part of the iron will that helped Novak Djokovic reach the summit of world tennis.