"It's like learning a new language," Gauff announces changes to improve her serve
Coco Gauff is ranked in the top three of the WTA rankings, and at just 21 years old, the young American player has already won prestigious titles like the WTA Finals and two Grand Slams, the most recent being this year at Roland-Garros.
However, Gauff has one major weakness: her serve. As the player with the most double faults this year on the women's tour, the American is aware that she needs to improve in this area and announced after her win against Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round of the US Open that she is implementing a new serving technique.
"I spent so much time on the court practicing last week that I ended up with a sore shoulder. I changed the mechanics of my serve. I know I have to stick with this new motion no matter what because, in the long run, it will be positive, but it's not easy because changing everything all at once is like learning a new language.
I feel like what I'm doing now makes sense, even though at this stage I'm still making mistakes and not serving fast enough—I just need more time.
There's no mental issue with my serve, which is why this change will help me in the medium term.
I fully trust Gavin (MacMillan) because science and facts support his theories. We've only been working together for a week, and honestly, I feel very stressed because making such a change during a Grand Slam isn't ideal; I would have preferred it to be during a WTA 500.
I have to trust the work we're doing, and I know that during the Asian tour, I'll have much more time to perfect this new technique," assured Gauff, who will face Donna Vekic in the second round, for Punto de Break.
