Andy Roddick recently expressed his admiration for Coco Gauff’s resilience and determination during the Asian swing of the WTA Tour, despite her ongoing serving struggles. The former World No. 1 highlighted Gauff’s ability to bounce back from a disappointing US Open run and split with coach Brad Gilbert, which demonstrated her mental fortitude and capacity to rise to the occasion. Gauff’s serving issues have been a significant point of concern, but Roddick conveyed his confidence in the 20-year-old’s ability to overcome these challenges and improve her game further.
Coco Gauff’s 2024 season had its highs and lows, most notably when her title defense at the US Open came to an unexpected end in the fourth round against fellow American Emma Navarro. Gauff was plagued by serving problems throughout that match, committing an astonishing 19 double faults, which contributed to her upset. However, Gauff proved her ability to bounce back, clinching her second WTA 1000 title at the China Open shortly after. This victory, though impressive, did not mark the end of her struggles, as her serving woes resurfaced during the Wuhan Open. In the semifinals of that event, she recorded a staggering 21 double faults in a tough three-set loss to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, ultimately falling 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Despite these recurring issues, Roddick applauded Gauff’s perseverance. On his podcast, *Served with Andy Roddick*, he pointed out how close Gauff came to beating Sabalenka in Wuhan, even while her serve continued to trouble her. “I want to give credit where credit’s due,” Roddick remarked. “The loss at the US Open was tough, the 11 or 12 double faults in the third set, and the questions post-Brad Gilbert. But even with the second serve rearing its ugly head against Sabalenka, she almost won that match.”
Roddick also praised Gauff for her ability to maintain a high ranking despite her difficulties. Gauff’s game has clearly improved in other areas, as evidenced by her climb back to No. 3 in the world following the Asian swing. “Even with the yips on her second serve and some work to be done on her forehand, she has worked her way back up to No. 3 in the world,” Roddick said. “That’s pretty amazing, especially given what she’s been dealing with.”
The “yips” that Roddick refers to—a term used in sports to describe a sudden, inexplicable loss of fine motor skills in skilled athletes—have been a persistent issue for Gauff’s serve this season. Her forehand has also faced scrutiny. However, Roddick believes Gauff’s work ethic and commitment will eventually lead her to correct these flaws. He stated, “I think the rest of her game has become so much better than it was even a year ago, and I have full faith she’ll self-correct at some point. She’s committed to it and she’s a hard worker.”
Roddick also encouraged fans and analysts alike to take a step back and appreciate what Gauff has accomplished despite her challenges. “It’s not going to get better overnight; it’s not flipping a switch,” he said, acknowledging that fixing her serve will take time. However, he stressed the significance of Gauff’s impressive turnaround, saying, “All of these things that we constantly harp on and are negative about, she’s back up to No. 3 in the world, and she’s only 20 years old. Can we take a step back and be realistic for a second? That’s pretty impressive.”
Roddick emphasized how difficult it must be for Gauff to navigate her mental struggles, especially after the US Open disappointment and the departure of Brad Gilbert from her coaching team. Yet, in the face of these setbacks, Gauff managed to regain momentum and achieve significant wins during the Asian swing. According to Roddick, this speaks volumes about her resilience and potential for growth.
Meanwhile, Gauff herself has been open about her serving issues. She recently disclosed that her team has been working on solutions and that she has identified the adjustments necessary to improve her serve. However, she acknowledged that implementing these changes would take time. As she prepares for the 2024 WTA Finals, scheduled to commence on November 2, Gauff will aim to showcase her refined serve and continue building on her recent success.
Ultimately, Roddick’s comments reflect the broader tennis community’s optimism for Gauff’s future. Despite her current struggles, her ability to return to the top of the rankings and maintain her competitive edge in high-level tournaments is a testament to her talent and tenacity. As she continues to refine her game, Gauff’s journey remains one of the most compelling stories in women’s tennis, with fans and experts alike eager to see how she evolves in the coming years.