Coco Gauff has decided not to represent Team USA at November's Billie Jean King Cup Finals, but Danielle Collins will hope to become inspired at her final tournament before retiring.
Gauff has endured a rough few months on the WTA Tour. The American No. 2's latest setback was a fourth-round defeat at the US Open. She slipped from No. 3 to No. 6 in the rankings after failing to defend her US Open title.
The 20-year-old's second serve and forehand are the two shots that consistently let her down the most. Andy Murray's former coach, Mark Petchey, says Gauff can hide some of her weaknesses, but not for a long time.
Those struggles and the grueling calendar Gauff has had this year as one of the top players in the women's game meant her involvement at the finals was always doubtful. Iga Swiatek opted against representing Team Poland at the event.
Gauff's decision not to compete at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals was made official on Monday. Her drop in form during the last few months does not change the fact it is a blow to Team USA's chances, especially since she is also a good doubles player.
This is the second year in a row that Gauff has elected against playing at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, which will be held from November 13th to November 20th. Team USA lost in the group stage of the finals in 2023.
However, Team USA still possesses a strong team despite Gauff's absence. The five players chosen by the captain, Lindsay Davenport, can challenge the title if they play their best tennis.
Team USA's chances are bolstered by US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula leading the team in Malaga. After her impressive run at Flushing Meadows, she became the world's No. 3 and No. 1 American player.
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will also be an emotional occasion for Danielle Collins because the 2022 Australian Open runner-up will retire from professional tennis after the event.
Collins hopes to recapture her exceptional level from earlier in the season at the year-end tournament. In March and April, she won back-to-back titles at the Miami and Charleston Open, playing a brand of aggressive tennis that was breathtaking to watch.
The 30-year-old's level has dropped since retiring from her Olympic quarterfinal against Iga Swiatek with an injury. Collins has yet to win a match since that setback. Hopefully, she will find her best tennis again before retiring.
One other notable absentee from Team USA is Emma Navarro. The US Open semifinalist is enjoying an exceptional breakthrough season, rising to No. 8 in the rankings as a result.
However, Navarro has played 72 matches this season, more than any other WTA player in 2024. She is probably already feeling somewhat fatigued, and the American No. 3 obviously thinks competing at the team event is a stretch too far.
The other Team USA players are Peyton Stearns, Taylor Townsend, and Caroline Dolehide. Townsend is an excellent doubles player, which could be particularly helpful to the team's chances in November.