Coco Gauff, the reigning French Open champion and world No. 2, has once again demonstrated her extraordinary ability to triumph under pressure, even as her serve falters. At the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, the top-seeded American battled through two grueling matches, overcoming a staggering 37 double faults to reach the fourth round. Her tenacity drew high praise from former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, who marveled at Gauff’s “unbelievable” capacity to secure victories while playing what she described as “C-level tennis.” As Gauff prepares for a challenging clash against Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko, her performance underscores both her mental fortitude and the ongoing technical hurdles she faces on the court.
Gauff’s Canadian Open campaign began with a second-round epic against compatriot Danielle Collins, a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2) victory that saw her commit a career-high 23 double faults, the most in a WTA 1000 match this season. The match, a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, showcased Gauff’s ability to stay composed under pressure, even as her serve betrayed her. She followed this with another three-set battle against world No. 42 Veronika Kudermetova, rallying from a set down to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, despite adding 14 more double faults to her tally. “I’m very disappointed with myself,” Gauff admitted after the Kudermetova match, pinpointing her serve as a persistent source of frustration. “Obviously, I am disappointed in myself when it comes to that part of the game because I didn’t play D.C., so I was hoping to come here and do better.”
Davenport, speaking on the Tennis Channel, highlighted Gauff’s remarkable resilience. “Her toss was all over the place. But she still wins. It’s unbelievable her ability to figure out ways to win when she is playing, honestly, C-level tennis out there,” she said. Davenport noted Gauff’s visible adjustments during matches, particularly her frequent glances at her grip, suggesting that her team is actively working to address the service issues. “It was interesting she kept looking down at her grip when she was serving. It looked like they were trying to make some changes with the serve,” Davenport observed, adding, “She was not comfortable with it yet. It looks like they know it’s a problem, and she didn’t have the confidence with it last night.” Despite these struggles, Gauff’s emotional control was exemplary, with Davenport praising her for “doing a fantastic job managing her emotions.”
Gauff’s service woes are not new. In 2024, she recorded 21 double faults in a loss to Aryna Sabalenka at the Wuhan Open and another 21 in a win over Moyuka Uchijima at Indian Wells. Her 2025 season has seen similar challenges, with 16 double faults in a Rome Open semifinal victory over Zheng Qinwen. Former WTA star Andrea Petkovic has suggested that Gauff’s struggles stem from reverting to old habits under pressure, particularly after tweaking her grip with coach Matt Daly. Rennae Stubbs, another former pro, identified technical flaws, noting that Gauff’s grip and low elbow prevent her from executing a reliable kick second serve, while her early forward movement disrupts her toss.
Despite these challenges, Gauff’s 2025 season remains impressive. With a 38-12 record, she has claimed two Grand Slam titles—the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open, where she defeated Sabalenka in a thrilling 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 final. Her rise to No. 1 in the UTR rankings, which prioritize quality wins, reflects her ability to defeat top players like Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. However, her first-round exit at Wimbledon to Dayana Yastremska (7-6, 6-1) and 6-4 record in early 2025 tournaments highlight inconsistencies, particularly on grass and hard courts.
As Gauff faces Mboko, an 18-year-old Canadian who previously took a set off her at the Italian Open, she aims to stabilize her serve and build momentum for the Cincinnati Open and US Open, where she is a former champion. “She’s a great person and always nice to me,” Gauff said of Collins, reflecting her sportsmanship despite the competitive grind. With 10 career singles titles and a 78% win rate on hard courts, Gauff’s potential remains undeniable. Her ability to win “ugly,” as Stubbs described, is a testament to her mental toughness, but addressing her serve’s technical flaws will be crucial to sustaining her place among the WTA’s elite.
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