American tennis prodigy Coco Gauff has been diligently working on refining her serve, albeit with some initial struggles. During her recent appearances at the Italian Open, the 17-year-old has amassed 35 double faults, signaling that the modifications are still a work in progress.
A potent serve is a pivotal element in the realm of tennis, yet Gauff has encountered difficulties with her delivery, particularly on the clay courts. Despite these ongoing challenges, she remains sanguine and harbours the belief that the technical alterations to her serve will eventually yield positive results.
In her most recent encounter with Paula Badosa, Gauff managed to clinch a hard-earned victory, albeit with a performance hindered by 11 double faults. Nonetheless, she expressed confidence in the strides she has been witnessing, especially with the impending French Open.
During a press conference, Gauff divulged her approach, asserting, “I’m going big on the first serve, so I know I’m probably going to miss more. It’s just finding the balance of going big but also knowing when to slow down just to get the serve in. I bet on myself to continue to go big. I know when I go big and my serve goes in, it’s dangerous. Even though this tournament I want to win, I’m trying to think long-term. I don’t want to lose the 120 (mph) serve by not going for it.”
Gauff also cited the success story of world number two, Aryna Sabalenka, who surmounted her serving struggles with the aid of a biomechanics trainer. Encouraged by Sabalenka’s transformation, Gauff is resolute in making the requisite technical adjustments to enhance her own serve.
Acknowledging the challenge of effecting changes mid-season and amidst tournaments, Gauff remarked, “It’s tough to do in-season and in-tournament. I feel from the night before my last match to now, it’s better. It’s only been two days. I’m trying.”
Clearly, Gauff’s steadfast commitment to honing her serve underscores her steadfastness towards continuous improvement. With the guidance of her coaches Brad Gilbert and Jean-Christophe Faurel, she remains resolutely focused on surmounting this obstacle in her game.
While some supporters may be apprehensive about Gauff’s recent performance, it is imperative to bear in mind that effecting technical adjustments amidst intense competition is no mean feat. With perseverance and fortitude, Coco Gauff is poised to transcend these challenges and perpetuate her influence in the realm of tennis.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Jamie Freed)