Gauff Credits Alcaraz Message After Wall-Drill Post
Coco Gauff says Carlos Alcaraz messaged her after she shared footage of a wall-drill training method he had used during his wrist recovery.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Tennis
World No. 4 Coco Gauff revealed that Carlos Alcaraz messaged her after she posted footage of a wall drill introduced by her fitness coach, Fabian. Alcaraz had used the same training method earlier in 2026 while returning from a four-and-a-half-month wrist injury layoff.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights how training methods are shared among top players during recovery and competition. It also comes as Gauff seeks a second WTA Finals title in three years.
Alcaraz returned from a four-and-a-half-month wrist layoff and has lifted two titles since late August, including the Vienna trophy the week before this report. Gauff, ranked world No. 4, is drawn in a round-robin group with Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Linda Noskova at the WTA Finals.
The players
Coco Gauff
A 22-year-old American tennis player currently ranked world No. 4, seeking to win the WTA Finals for the second time in three years.
Carlos Alcaraz
A Spanish tennis player currently ranked world No. 3 who has won multiple major titles and returned from a wrist injury in late 2026.
The details
Gauff's fitness coach Fabian introduced the wall drill to improve spacing and coordination with the ball. Gauff said she kept hitting the pole when she first attempted it, and she initially assumed the drill was for wrist recovery.
Timeline
Earlier in 2026: Alcaraz used the drill and shared videos of it on Instagram during his wrist recovery.
Late August 2026: Alcaraz returned to competition after the injury layoff.
Week before November 7, 2026: Alcaraz won the Vienna title.
November 7, 2026: Gauff commented on Alcaraz's message during the Paris Masters period.
Season Trajectory
Gauff's push for the WTA Finals comes as she adopts a training method Alcaraz publicized while returning from injury earlier in 2026. The exchange shows how recovery techniques are spreading between the men's and women's tours during the late-season stretch.
Gauff's round-robin group at the WTA Finals includes Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Linda Noskova, so the draw will shape her path to the title. She has also said she plans to play BJK Cup after the current period and aims to be fresh for 2027.
The takeaway
Training ideas often travel quickly between players, and simple drills that aid spacing and coordination can be adopted outside of injury recovery. Gauff's account shows how a single shared method can move from one athlete to another.
Further reading
Explore more in Tennis coverage of the late-season tour and player training.
