As the clay courts of Roland Garros prepare to welcome the world’s top tennis talents in 2025, all eyes are on Coco Gauff, the young American phenom whose meteoric rise has captivated fans globally. At just 21, Gauff has already etched her name into tennis history with a U.S. Open singles title in 2023 and a French Open doubles crown in 2024 alongside Katerina Siniakova. Yet, despite her undeniable prowess, a lingering issue continues to cast a shadow over her prospects at the upcoming French Open—an issue one expert has called “just unheard of” for a player of her caliber.
Gauff’s journey on the professional circuit has been nothing short of remarkable. Bursting onto the scene at 15 with a stunning upset over Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019, she quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Her aggressive playing style, lightning-fast footwork, and powerful serve have propelled her to a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in singles and No. 1 in doubles. In 2024 alone, she clinched the WTA Finals singles title, becoming the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova two decades prior, and kicked off 2025 with an undefeated run at the United Cup, leading the U.S. to victory over Poland. But as the French Open looms, analysts are zeroing in on a persistent flaw that could derail her quest for a maiden singles title on the Parisian clay: her serve.
Tennis insiders have noted that Gauff’s serve, once a weapon in her arsenal, has become a double-edged sword. Throughout 2024, she racked up an alarming number of double faults—256 by the time she reached the U.S. Open, where she bowed out in the fourth round to Emma Navarro. That match alone saw her commit 19 double faults, a statistic that left commentators stunned. “It’s a mental hurdle I have to get over,” Gauff admitted after that defeat, her voice tinged with frustration. “I don’t want to lose matches like this anymore.” Her struggles persisted into early 2025, with a grueling three-set battle at Indian Wells against Miyu Uchijima exposing the same vulnerability. Despite pulling through with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 victory, Gauff acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, “If I just double-faulted less, it could have probably been a straight-set match.”
Experts are divided on how this “unheard of” problem might affect her at Roland Garros. The slow, gritty clay surface demands precision and consistency—qualities that can amplify a shaky serve’s weaknesses. One prominent coach recently pointed out that Gauff’s forehand, long considered a liability, benefits from the extra time clay affords, allowing her to set up her shots. However, the serve remains a different beast. “She’s got the athleticism, the fight, and the heart,” the coach remarked. “But when you’re leaking double faults at that rate against top players, it’s a crack they’ll exploit relentlessly.” Indeed, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who has dominated Gauff in their head-to-head (11-1, including three French Open victories), has made a habit of targeting those cracks, particularly in their 2024 semifinal clash, which Swiatek won 6-2, 6-4.
Yet, there’s reason for optimism. Gauff’s resilience is legendary—she’s reached the French Open quarterfinals or better in each of the last four years, including a runner-up finish in 2022. Her 2025 season started with a bang, as she toppled Swiatek in straight sets at the United Cup final, hinting at a potential breakthrough. Analysts suggest that if she can harness her serve, the French Open could be hers for the taking. “Gauff’s performances on clay have been particularly impressive,” one observer noted, recalling her deep runs in recent tournaments. “She’s a real threat if she gets that serve under control.”
Gauff herself remains philosophical about her chances. Reflecting on her rollercoaster career, she recently said, “I think just accepting the highs and lows is key. In a season as long as tennis, it’s impossible to always be on that high wave. It just takes one or two matches to get that confidence back.” As she prepares for Roland Garros, fans are buzzing with anticipation, eager to see if the young star can silence her doubters and add a French Open singles title to her growing legacy. With her blend of grit, talent, and determination, Gauff’s story is far from finished—and the clay courts of Paris might just be the stage for her next chapter.
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