Coco Gauff has dramatically improved her serve since last year’s US Open, transforming it from a liability to a key strength in her game.
At last year’s tournament, Gauff was seen practicing her serve in the rain and crying on court due to struggles with that part of her game. Now, as she returns to the US Open, her serve has become a potent weapon according to BBC Sport.
KEY FACTS
- Coco Gauff struggled with her serve at last year’s US Open
- She was seen practicing serves in the rain during the tournament
- Gauff became emotional on court due to serve difficulties
- Her serve is now described as a “potent weapon”
- This marks significant improvement since last year’s tournament
What changed for Coco Gauff?
The young tennis star has clearly worked extensively on her serve since last year’s emotional moment at the US Open. While the exact training regimen isn’t detailed, the transformation from liability to weapon suggests focused technical work and mental strengthening.
Such dramatic improvements in specific aspects of a tennis player’s game are rare at the elite level, making Gauff’s case particularly noteworthy.
The mental game
Gauff’s on-court emotions last year revealed how much the serve struggles affected her. The ability to overcome such mental hurdles speaks to her resilience and maturity at a young age.
Elite athletes often face similar challenges with specific techniques, but few make such complete turnarounds in such short timeframes between major tournaments.
WHAT WE KNOW — AND WHAT WE DON’T
Verified by the source:
- Gauff had serve difficulties at last year’s US Open
- She practiced serves in rainy conditions
- She became emotional on court
- Her serve is now a strength
Still unconfirmed:
- Specific technical changes made to her serve
- Her current serve speed statistics
- How much this improvement affects her overall game
- Her ranking impact from serve improvements
WHY IT MATTERS
Serve consistency is crucial in modern tennis, especially on faster surfaces like those at the US Open. For a young player like Gauff who already excels in other aspects of the game, developing a strong serve could elevate her into the very top tier of competitors.
WHAT TO WATCH
Attention will focus on how Gauff’s improved serve holds up under pressure during this US Open, particularly in later rounds against higher-ranked opponents.