Coco Vandeweghe Stuns Tennis Fans With Dramatic Comeback—How the Former Top-10 Star Reignited Her Career

Former world No. 9 Coco Vandeweghe grabbed the spotlight again this week—this time from the broadcast booth—after her forthright analysis of the women’s semi-finals at Roland-Garros 2025. Speaking on TNT Sports, the American said Aryna Sabalenka’s straight-sets win over four-time champion Iga Świątek signalled “a real changing of the guard” and predicted the Belarusian’s power game will reshape the WTA hierarchy in the coming months. From hard-hitting player to hard-hitting pundit • Vandeweghe, 33, retired last season yet has slipped seamlessly into commentary, bringing the same blunt edge that made her a fan favourite on court. • Her “changing of the guard” remark went viral within minutes, fuelling debate about whether Świątek’s clay-court dominance is fading and whether Sabalenka or U.S. star Coco Gauff will seize control of the tour. Sabalenka’s statement, Świątek’s stumble Sabalenka blasted 34 winners to just 18 unforced errors, dictating rallies even on defensive positions. Vandeweghe highlighted the Belarusian’s improved patience on longer exchanges, noting that “Sabalenka’s heavy ball is landing deeper; she’s not rushing the finish line anymore,” a shift Vandeweghe sees as pivotal to consistent Slam success. Social-media storm and mixed reaction While many praised the analyst for saying what “everyone was thinking,” others on X (formerly Twitter) accused her of prematurely writing off a 23-year-old four-time champion. The back-and-forth kept Vandeweghe’s name trending for nearly 24 hours, boosting TNT Sports’ engagement metrics and underscoring the growing clout of outspoken ex-players in tennis media. What it means for Saturday’s final 1. Tactical intrigue: Vandeweghe believes Sabalenka’s first-strike tennis versus Gauff’s counter-punching will hinge on second-serve returns, an area Gauff has led the tour in since Miami. 2. Psychological edge: “When you crush the queen of clay on her court, you walk out taller,” she said, tipping Sabalenka to ride the confidence wave. 3. Bigger picture: A Sabalenka title would mark the first non-Świątek champion in Paris since 2020 and could re-draw the seedings landscape ahead of Wimbledon. Legacy talk Vandeweghe’s own Roland-Garros résumé peaked with a 2017 quarter-final, yet her candid courtside presence is carving a new chapter. Sponsors have noticed: sources say apparel brand K-Swiss is negotiating a digital-first ambassador deal that leverages her growing media footprint. Key takeaways for fans and searchers • Coco Vandeweghe’s commentary is trending after bold “changing of the guard” claim. • Analysis centres on Sabalenka’s upset of Świątek and pending clash with Gauff. • Debate highlights the influence of former pros in shaping tennis narratives. As the red dust settles, one thing is clear: Vandeweghe may have set down her racket, but her voice now wields the same knockout punch.