Coco Gauff has been making waves at this year’s Australian Open with her powerful serves, and she attributes much of her success to off-season work with former world No. 1 Andy Roddick. The reigning US Open champion continues to prove her mettle on the court, advancing to the fourth round after a dominant performance in the third round, defeating fellow American Alycia Parks 6-0, 6-2 in just over an hour. Gauff’s win not only marked her 10th consecutive Grand Slam match victory but also showcased the evolution of her game, particularly in her serve, which has been a key weapon for the 19-year-old throughout the tournament.
While Gauff’s serve was already considered formidable, it is clear that some recent tweaks have elevated it even further. One of the highlights of her game this year has been the noticeable improvement in both the consistency and speed of her serves. Gauff currently holds the record for the fastest serve at this year’s Australian Open, clocking in at 199km/h. Furthermore, she has won an impressive 80% of her first-serve points over the first three rounds, a stat that emphasizes just how important her serve has become to her overall game.
Following her victory over Parks, Gauff opened up about the work she put in with Roddick during the off-season. According to Gauff, it was the small but significant adjustments to her serve that have made all the difference. In an interview with Eurosport, she explained how she and Roddick focused on fine-tuning her ball toss, which allowed her to find more consistency.
“I just adjusted the way that I tossed the ball up a little bit, which allowed my toss to be more consistent,” Gauff shared. “Then I just felt that the more consistent my serve is, the more I’m okay with going for it in those big moments.”
For Gauff, it’s not just about the speed of the serve but the confidence it gives her to take risks at key moments in a match. Her ability to land serves reliably under pressure is something she credits to her time spent training with Roddick. Although their practice session was short, Gauff spoke highly of the impact it had on her game.
“I still know I can improve on it, but I’m really happy with the progress that I’ve made in the short amount of time,” she added. “He [Roddick] is one of the best servers ever, so when he offered the advice, I flew to his home and we made some magic. It was only two days there, but I think it was the most meaningful two days of practice that I’ve ever had.”
For Gauff, the changes have been transformative, and the quick results speak volumes. “The way I was able to adjust it so quickly and for it to work right away was pretty seamless, so I really credit him and thank him for taking the time to do that.”
As she prepares for her fourth-round clash with Poland’s Magdalena Fręch, Gauff’s improved serve will undoubtedly continue to be a focal point of her game. Should she secure victory against Fręch, Gauff would then face either Marta Kostyuk or Maria Timofeeva in the quarterfinals, a prospect that could set her on course for yet another deep Grand Slam run.
Confidence has clearly been a big factor for Gauff throughout this tournament. After admitting to feeling nervous during her opening round match, the young American has since found her rhythm, playing with greater freedom and belief in her abilities.
“I was a little nervous in the first round, but in the last two matches, I wasn’t nervous at all,” Gauff said. “It does give you a lot of confidence because I felt my best tennis I played last year was during the DC 500 tournament.”
Gauff reflected on the importance of winning matches even when she’s not playing her best tennis, highlighting how those tough wins can boost confidence as much as, if not more than, the ones where everything clicks perfectly.
“I didn’t even feel like I played my best during the US Open, and it’s really those matches that you win when you’re not playing your best that give you that confidence. Going into this tournament, I know I can do it.”
With each match, Gauff continues to grow in both skill and confidence, making her one of the most exciting young talents in the sport. Her improvements, particularly on serve, have set her up as a formidable contender at this year’s Australian Open. As she progresses further into the tournament, her ability to maintain her composure and capitalize on her newly refined serve will be crucial. With the wisdom imparted by Roddick and her own determination, Gauff looks poised to continue her upward trajectory in the tennis world.