Coco Gauff, the young American tennis sensation, has found herself at the center of a storm in the tennis world—not for her electrifying baseline play or her Grand Slam triumphs, but for something far more perplexing: her serve. Once a reliable weapon in her arsenal, Gauff’s serve has morphed into a glaring vulnerability, leaving fans, analysts, and even former players scratching their heads. Her recent performances at high-profile tournaments like Indian Wells and Miami have only amplified the chatter, with double faults piling up and consistency eluding her. But now, a compelling theory from a former top-10 player has emerged, shedding light on what might be the root of this unexpected crisis—and it’s all about a subtle, yet shocking, regression in her grip.
The tennis community has been buzzing with speculation ever since Gauff’s serve began to falter earlier this year. At Indian Wells, she struggled through matches, racking up an astonishing number of double faults that left spectators wincing. The story repeated itself in Miami, where her inability to find rhythm on serve contributed to an early exit against Magda Linette in the fourth round. For a player ranked as high as No. 2 in the world and celebrated for her poise under pressure, these missteps have been jarring. Gauff’s 2023 U.S. Open singles title and 2024 French Open doubles crown are proof of her immense talent, but 2025 has brought a different narrative—one of frustration and unanswered questions.
Enter Andrea Petkovic, a former world No. 9 whose keen eye for the game has made her a respected voice in tennis commentary. Speaking on her podcast, Petkovic offered a “hot take” that’s ignited fresh debate: Gauff’s serving woes might stem from an unconscious return to an old, less effective grip. “Something is not right with the serve,” Petkovic declared, her words cutting through the noise of generic analysis. She pointed to Gauff’s coaching transition late last year as a potential turning point. After parting ways with Brad Gilbert in September 2024, Gauff teamed up with Matt Daly, a grip specialist whose early influence seemed to spark an upturn in her form. By the end of 2024, she was dominating, clinching titles at the China Open and WTA Finals. But now, Petkovic suggests, that progress may have unraveled.
“My theory is that the grip has gone back to the old one, and therefore, it does not work at the moment,” Petkovic mused. It’s a bold claim, but one that makes sense when you rewind the tape. Daly’s arrival brought technical adjustments to Gauff’s serve, refining her motion and grip to unlock a more potent delivery. The results were immediate—fewer double faults, more free points, and a newfound confidence. Yet, as 2025 unfolded, those gains appeared to slip away. Petkovic believes Gauff might be instinctively reverting to her pre-Daly habits under pressure, a regression that’s throwing her game off balance. It’s a fascinating psychological twist: even a player of Gauff’s caliber isn’t immune to the pull of muscle memory.
The numbers tell a grim story. In her Miami loss to Linette, Gauff coughed up 12 double faults and landed just half of her first serves—a far cry from the precision she displayed during her late-2024 surge. At Indian Wells, she battled Belinda Bencic in the fourth round but couldn’t overcome the self-inflicted wounds, exiting after another serving meltdown. These aren’t isolated blips; they’re part of a pattern that’s haunted her since the Australian Open quarterfinals, where she last reached the final eight of a tournament. Since then, early exits in Doha, Dubai, and beyond have fueled the narrative of a player in flux.
For Gauff, the stakes couldn’t be higher. At just 20 years old, she’s already a global star, with a management firm—Coco Gauff Enterprises—launched this month to reflect her ambitions as an athlete and entrepreneur. Off the court, she’s thriving, recently unveiling a new shoe inspired by her hometown of Delray Beach and aligning with powerhouse agency WME. On the court, though, the spotlight burns hotter than ever. Her peers, like Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, are pushing for more prize money and influence in the sport, but Gauff’s immediate challenge is personal: reclaiming the form that made her a champion.
So, what’s next for Coco Gauff? The tennis world is watching with bated breath. Can she shake off this serving slump and silence the doubters? Petkovic’s theory offers a roadmap—perhaps a return to Daly’s tweaks could steady the ship. Or maybe it’s a matter of mental fortitude, breaking free from old habits to embrace the player she’s becoming. One thing is certain: Gauff’s journey through this crisis is a gripping saga, blending technical intrigue with the raw emotion of a young star navigating adversity. As she prepares for her next move, the question looms: will this be a stumble or a stepping stone on her path to greatness? Only time—and her serve—will tell.