Reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff is battling a formidable opponent within her own game: a troublesome serve that threatens to undermine her championship defence. The American prodigy, despite securing victories, has been plagued by an alarming number of double faults that have left fans and pundits alike deeply concerned.
During her recent three-set battle against fellow American Caroline Dolehide, Gauff's service game unravelled spectacularly. She committed a staggering 19 double faults, a statistic that would typically spell disaster for any professional player. This performance comes hot on the heels of another shaky serving display in her opening match, where she racked up 10 double faults.
A Winning Problem
Remarkably, Gauff has managed to triumph despite these self-inflicted setbacks. Her powerful groundstrokes, exceptional speed, and mental fortitude have repeatedly bailed her out of trouble. However, the frequency of these serving malfunctions suggests a deep-rooted technical issue that could prove fatal against higher-ranked opponents in the latter stages of the tournament.
Technical Troubleshooting
Tennis analysts have been quick to dissect the flaws in Gauff's service motion. The primary issue appears to be a inconsistent ball toss, which varies in placement and height from serve to serve. This fundamental inconsistency disrupts the entire kinetic chain of her motion, leading to mistimed strikes and a complete loss of rhythm on both her first and second serves.
Her second serve, in particular, has become a target for opponents. Rather than a reliable weapon, it has transformed into a nervous, tentative stroke that often fails to clear the net or lands hopelessly wide.
The Mental Battle
Beyond technique, the serving woes are undoubtedly taking a psychological toll. Each double fault chips away at confidence, creating a vicious cycle where anxiety about serving leads to more errors. How Gauff and her coaching team address this mental aspect will be as crucial as any technical adjustment.
With the weight of expectation on her shoulders as a Grand Slam champion, all eyes will be on Gauff's next match to see if she can find a quick fix for her faltering serve before it derails her campaign entirely.
