Coco Gauff arrived at the US Open with the French Open title still fresh in memory, but a new chapter was unfolding off the court as she undertook a high-stakes overhaul of her serve just days before the major. After a sparkling clay season that culminated in Paris, she found the transition to grass and hard courts testing her in quick order, even as she sought to lay the groundwork for more Grand Slam glory this year.
Gauff’s week in New York has been defined as much by changes behind the scenes as by the intense battles on court. Following a summer of serving woes, she shifted her coaching lineup and technical approach in a bold bid to fix what had become her most conspicuous weakness. She had already made significant changes before the Open, parting ways with Brad Gilbert and bringing in Matt Daly, a grip specialist, in addition to longtime coach Jean-Christophe Faurel. The goal was to refine elements of her serve and delivery without sacrificing the weapon that has powered her rise.
In a turn of events that underscored the magnitude of the adjustment, four days before the start of the main draw, Gauff brought in Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics expert known for helping players with technical bottlenecks. The decision to bring in a specialist of his caliber so close to a major was described by observers as a high-risk, high-reward move, but one that Gauff believed could unlock her ceiling on faster courts.
Her first-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium offered a vivid illustration of both the challenge and the potential payoff. Against Ajla Tomljanovic, the American battled through a 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 contest that stretched nearly three hours. She ceded six service breaks and logged 10 double faults in the match, including two when serving for the victory at 5-4 in the final set. Afterward, she spoke of the mental fatigue and the immense effort required to execute the new motion under pressure, admitting the changes remained a work in progress.
The second-round test against Donna Vekic provided another trial by fire, but Gauff found a way through in a 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory. She admitted the emotional toll of the two weeks and the difficulty of maintaining focus, even as she cried at times during on-court interviews. Yet she credited the crowd’s support for helping her reset and push through the tougher moments.
In New York, the serve remains the focal point of her narrative. The combination of a powerful weapon and a fragile execution window has shaped a summer of adjustments, with Gauff acknowledging that she needed to rewire a motion she’s relied on for years. The changes have been likened to learning a new language, and even seasoned observers note that translating theory into real-time success is an arduous, nerve-testing process.
Looking ahead, Gauff is squarely in the mix as she prepares to face Magdalena Frech, with the potential for a high-profile clash against Naomi Osaka if she continues advancing. The path to a second US Open title remains a formidable challenge, but the process underway—reframing the serve, refining mechanics, and maintaining resilience—embodies the long-term mindset that has defined her career.
Summary:
– Gauff is juggling a major serve overhaul with ongoing tournament play after a French Open triumph.
– She replaced and reshaped parts of her coaching setup to fix serving issues, including bringing in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan.
– Early results have been mixed, with difficult but instructive matches that highlighted both the risks and potential rewards of the changes.
– The focus remains on the broader goal: sustaining peak performance across the year’s majors and extending her Grand Slam opportunities.
Why it matters:
– Gauff’s willingness to overhaul a core part of her game so close to a major illustrates the pressures top players face to maximize every edge. Her discussion of the process, including the emotional toll, offers insight into the mental side of high-level tennis and the commitment required to stay at the top.
What to watch next:
– How quickly the new motion translates into consistency on faster surfaces.
– Whether the changes help her push deeper into the Open, potentially opening a path to another Grand Slam final.
– The ongoing dynamic with her coaching group and how it influences her performance in the rest of the season.
Editor’s note:
– The story underscores the balance athletes strike between risk and reward when reworking technique during a peak season. A closer look at biomechanical adjustments and the time needed for the body to adapt could provide readers with a useful lens on why top players sometimes take such bold steps. If possible, including a short explainer on the specific aspects of the serve being adjusted (stance, toss, hip/shoulder rotation) would add helpful context for fans.