Coco Gauff's second serve the only thing between her and sustained success

For a fleeting moment during the intense match against Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff appeared poised for success. The American had navigated her way through the first set and was slowly regaining ground in the second. She reached set point on her serve at 6-5, but it wasn't enough to prevent a dramatic collapse. Three consecutive double faults handed over the break, leaving Pegula with no chance to fail.

This sequence encapsulates Gauff's ongoing struggles with her second serve, an issue that has plagued her throughout the season. Her poor serve is evident in the numbers: 9.9%, the highest double-fault rate among top-50 players this year. Even Amanda Anisimova, the next worst performer inside the top 10, fared better at 6.2%.

Gauff's game is otherwise strong. She boasts exceptional defensive skills and athleticism, a sublime two-handed backhand, and a well-rounded approach to the game. However, her forehand can be inconsistent, and it's her second serve that stands in the way of sustained success.

To address this issue, Gauff has undergone significant changes with new coach Gavin MacMillan. They tweaked her service technique, particularly on knee bend and head movement, which had become a liability. The results have been promising, but the jury is still out on whether these adjustments will yield long-term benefits.

Gauff's decision to implement these changes ahead of the US Open was seen as bold, if not reckless, by some observers. As the world No 3, she's accustomed to winning nearly every match, which can make it challenging to focus on improvement. Yet, at just 21 years old, Gauff recognizes the importance of development and growth.

As the WTA Finals get underway with Gauff as the defending champion, the real question remains: will her newfound resolve pay dividends? A look at Aryna Sabalenka's own journey offers hope – after struggling with her second serve three years ago, Sabalenka has significantly improved. It won't take time for Gauff to see similar results, and if MacMillan's efforts are half as successful, the sky's the limit.

Ultimately, it comes down to one shot: Gauff's second serve. If she can overcome this weakness, she'll be unstoppable. The question is, will she be able to build on her recent progress and achieve sustained success in the coming years?

I'm so frustrated for Coco Gauff she's got an amazing game, but that second serve just won't quit . I mean, 9.9% double faults is crazy! It's like she's trying to give her opponent free points or something . But honestly, I think the new coach Gavin MacMillan has made a great move in tweaking her technique. The knee bend and head movement thing is so important for a good serve. And it's not just about the serve, Gauff's athleticism and defense are top-notch .

I love how she's being proactive about improving though - 21 years old and already recognizing what needs to change . It's like she's saying, "Okay, I've been here before, but this time I'm gonna do it differently." And you know what? I think it can pay off big time if she just focuses on that second serve .

I mean, look at Sabalenka - she was struggling with her second serve a few years ago and now she's one of the top players in the world . It's not rocket science, Coco just needs to find consistency . So here's hoping Gauff can build on this progress and become almost unbeatable . Fingers crossed!

man I was so hyped for coco gauff, i mean who isn't right? but that second serve has been a major letdown this season 9.9% double faults is insane! i remember watching her play and just thinking "how does she do that?" anyway, i think new coach gavin macmillan might be the key to unlocking her potential he's definitely taken some great steps in tweaking her service technique and it's promising to see those results as for whether it'll translate to long-term benefits, only time will tell but if anyone can turn it around, it's coco

Coco Gauff's game is looking so strong, especially her defense skills & athleticism , but that 2nd serve is still killing her ... like, 9.9% double faults, that's crazy ! I think new coach Gavin MacMillan is making progress with those tweaks tho , it'll be interesting to see if they stick & pay off in the long run . Gauff's just so young too, only 21 , so I'm rooting for her to figure this out & become even more dominant on the court . The WTA Finals are a big stage, but if she can keep up that momentum & work on that serve, watch out! ️

Coco Gauff is like a Ferrari with a wonky gear shift - she's got the speed and agility, but the brakes are a bit dodgy . Her 9.9% double-fault rate is crazy high! Did you know that only 2.4% of top-50 players have a higher double-fault rate? That's gotta hurt her confidence .

I love how she's trying to fix this issue with new coach Gavin MacMillan, but the real question is whether these changes will stick or just be another fleeting trend . We've seen it before - players make adjustments, get a little boost, and then regress . But Gauff's got the potential to be a superstar ! It'll be interesting to see how she compares to Sabalenka, who went through a similar second-serve struggles .

By the way, have you seen the WTA Finals stats? The top 10 players are averaging over 20 aces per match - that's some serious power ! Gauff needs to bring her A-game if she wants to dominate like these top players .

I gotta say, Coco Gauff's struggles with her second serve are kinda relatable. We've all been there, right? She's got a ton of potential, but that one weakness can make all the difference between winning and losing. I mean, think about it, if she can iron out that double fault issue, watch out world! But at the same time, it's not like she's alone in this fight. Everyone struggles with something, even the best players.

I'm curious to see how her new coach Gavin MacMillan's changes will play out. I've heard good things about his work, and if anyone can help Gauff overcome that second serve slump, it's him. The WTA Finals are just around the corner, and with a healthy dose of confidence and determination, I'm not ruling anything out for Coco. She's only 21, so she's still got plenty of time to refine her game and become an even more dominant force on the court.

It's all about finding that balance between winning now and improving for the future. If Gauff can do just that, the sky really will be the limit. She's already proven herself as a top player, but this could be the year she takes it to the next level. I'm excited to see what's in store for her!

omg i feel like coco gauff is so underrated she's got that amazing athleticism and defense skills but her second serve has been a major issue all year... 9.9% double fault rate is wild what's going on with that? did you guys see the match against jessica pegula? that was crazy i'm glad she's trying to address this with new coach gavin macmillan though, those changes do look promising we just gotta wait and see if it pays off for her at the wta finals

omg coco gauff is so close to being the best! i mean, she has the skills, defo has the athleticism... but that second serve is like, ugh 9.9% double faults is crazy!! i was watching her match against jessica pegula and it looked like she just froze up for a sec, then went back to being her awesome self i love how she's trying new things with macmillan though... i think it could make a huge diff. and it's so inspiring to see her focus on growth & development at such a young age fingers crossed she can overcome that serve and become UNSTOPPABLE

Gauff's game is so strong, but that 2nd serve is killing her ! It's crazy how a small tweak in technique can make such a huge difference. I love how she's taking it seriously and working with MacMillan to fix it . And can we talk about how talented she is on the court? That backhand is insane! The only way for her to reach her full potential is if she can get that 2nd serve under control . Fingers crossed for her at the WTA Finals!

I'm low-key impressed by Coco Gauff's decision to make a change with new coach Gavin MacMillan . That double fault rate of 9.9% is straight up alarming, but at least she's taking steps to address it . The stats show improvement, but we need to see it carry over into actual match performance .

Aryna Sabalenka's transformation from struggling server to ace machine is a great example . If Gauff can pull off something similar, watch out world! The WTA Finals are the perfect stage for her to put her newfound confidence to the test. I'm rooting for her to overcome that second serve hurdle and become UNSTOPPABLE .

Here's a quick stat dump:

Average double faults per set: 0.8 (top-50 players)
Second serve percentage: 55.1% (Gauff)
Gauff's defensive skills rating: 8.5/10

Time will tell if these adjustments stick, but I'm feeling optimistic about Coco's chances

OMG I was watching that match live and I was like "no way Coco is gonna lose" but then those double faults happened and it was like a train wreck . I feel for her, she's such a talented player, but that second serve is just killing her . She needs to work on it ASAP or else she'll be stuck in neutral forever . I love how she's trying new things with her coach though, that's super refreshing . It's like she's saying "okay, I've had success before, but what if I don't?" . Aryna Sabalenka is a great example of someone who worked hard to fix their game and look where they are now . So fingers crossed for Coco, I want her to be the best version of herself .

Gauff gotta work on that 2nd serve I mean, 9.9% double faults is crazy! She's got the skills, athleticism, and defense down pat, but it's like she's playing a different game out there . MacMillan's tweaks sound promising, though. It's not about being reckless, it's about being proactive & invested in her growth. I think she's on the right track . Sabalenka's comeback is a great example - if Gauff can overcome this 2nd serve hurdle, watch out! She's got the game to dominate.

Coco Gauff needs to fix that 2nd serve ASAP She's got the skills, but it's holding her back from being truly great. New coach Gavin MacMillan is trying to tweak things, so fingers crossed it pays off soon The thing is, she's used to winning and that can make it tough to focus on improving. I think we'll see more of her coming into form at the WTA Finals

I feel like I'm stuck on these forums forever ‍! Can't we just talk about tennis or something instead of analyzing players' serves all day? And another thing, why do we have to choose between watching the WTA Finals and reading a 5-paragraph article that's just a summary of someone else's analysis? I'm trying to figure out if Coco Gauff is going to be able to overcome her serve issues or not, but it feels like I've got to sift through all this extra info first. Can't we just cut to the chase already?

I'm watching Coco Gauff play and I gotta say, it's frustrating when she messes up like that . Her second serve is like a ticking time bomb - you think she's got it under control, but then BAM! Three double faults in a row . It's crazy how much of an impact it has on the whole match.

I love watching her play, though - she's so athletic and agile on the court . And that two-handed backhand? For real, it's one of the best I've ever seen. The problem is, you can't just fix a few issues like her second serve if you're used to winning all the time . She needs to stay focused and keep working on those changes with her new coach Gavin MacMillan.

I think it's cool that she's taking bold steps to improve her game - it shows she's not afraid to take risks . And with Aryna Sabalenka as an example, I know she can get there . So, fingers crossed for Gauff and her newfound resolve!

I'm thinking Coco Gauff needs to stay chill under pressure . She's got the skills, but that second serve just isn't doing her any favors. It's like she's trying too hard out there. Maybe they should try practicing with a timer, you know, simulate game situations so it feels more real. And can we talk about how awesome her two-handed backhand is?!

Coco Gauff's second serve is literally killing her 9.9% double-fault rate is insane!!! She's got all the skills, athleticism & game but that one weak spot is gonna hold her back From what I saw of her practice sessions, she's still a bit wonky with her knee bend & head movement Hopefully new coach Gavin MacMillan can get it sorted ASAP