Coco Gauff continues to face challenges early in the 2026 tennis season, suffering a second consecutive loss since her Australian Open quarterfinal appearance. In Doha, she was defeated 6-4, 6-2 by Elisabetta Cocciaretto, ranked 57th, marking her first loss to Cocciaretto since their junior days. Gauff, ranked No. 5, expressed frustration, noting her recent performances have not reflected her practice efforts, citing a mental block and issues with her forehand, which has been error-prone and less effective on slower courts. Despite her strong start to the year, including a win over Iga Swiatek at the United Cup, her form has dipped, with notable losses to Elina Svitolina at the Australian Open and now Cocciaretto. Gauff acknowledged her struggles with translating good practice into match performance and highlighted the need to improve her open skills, particularly her forehand, which is crucial for her game. She also discussed her focus on improving her serve, which has become more stable but still needs work. Gauff plans to move on to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where she previously reached the semifinals in 2023. The match underscored the ongoing challenge she faces in adjusting her game under pressure and the importance of mental resilience. Meanwhile, Cocciaretto, who benefited from her second chance in the main draw, secured her third top-10 victory and her first win over Gauff, playing a steady match and capitalizing on Gauff’s unforced errors. Her victory is partly inspired by her admiration for Winter Olympics skiers, and she aims to continue her upward trajectory in the WTA tour. Gauff remains optimistic about her future, emphasizing her ability to reset after setbacks and her determination to improve her game.