Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis phenom, has taken the WTA Tour by storm with a weapon that’s turning heads and rewriting expectations: her slice wide serve. Hailed as the most formidable since the legendary Serena Williams, this shot has become a cornerstone of Gauff’s arsenal, earning praise from players, coaches, and fans alike. As Gauff prepares for the 2025 US Open, her devastating serve is fueling optimism that she could reclaim the title she won in 2023 and solidify her status as the heir to Williams’ legacy.
Gauff’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Since bursting onto the scene at 15 with a stunning upset over Venus Williams at Wimbledon 2019, she has established herself as a force to be reckoned with, blending elite athleticism, mental toughness, and a versatile game. Her 2025 season, highlighted by a French Open title and a WTA Finals victory in Riyadh, has cemented her as World No. 3 and a leading contender for the top spot. But it’s her slice wide serve that has analysts buzzing. Renowned coach Rick Macci, who mentored both Serena and Venus Williams, declared, “Coco has the best slice wide serve on the tour since Serena. When she plays the ball on the rise off both wings and controls the center of the court, she can be the best in the sport.” This bold comparison underscores the serve’s precision and power, reminiscent of Williams’ iconic delivery that helped her amass 23 Grand Slam titles.
The slice wide serve, a low, skidding shot that pulls opponents off the court, has become Gauff’s trump card. In her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Iga Swiatek at the 2024 WTA Finals, Gauff unleashed the serve to devastating effect, winning 70.1% of her first-serve points, the second-highest rate among the WTA’s top 20 players. Her ability to angle the ball sharply, forcing opponents to stretch or misjudge their returns, mirrors the dominance Williams displayed in her prime. In 2016, Williams won 75.7% of her first-serve points and 83.8% of her service games, numbers Gauff is approaching as she refines her technique. “I think just confidence,” Gauff said after her Swiatek win. “When I’m playing confident tennis, that’s my best tennis. It makes it hard for her or anyone to really do anything.”
Despite her prowess, Gauff’s serve has faced scrutiny. Her 2025 season saw 250 double faults, the highest in the top 100, and a 42.8% win rate on second-serve points, the second-lowest among the top 30. Macci, however, sees untapped potential, suggesting biomechanical tweaks could elevate her serve further. “If her serve is changed biomechanically and also going to a platform stance, it would jolt the muscle memory,” he noted, predicting that such adjustments could transform her second serve into an asset and propel her to No. 1. Gauff’s recent coaching change to Matt Daly has already shown results, with her United Cup performance—where she went undefeated, including a 6-4, 6-4 win over Swiatek—demonstrating improved consistency.
Gauff’s athleticism complements her serve, allowing her to dominate rallies and recover from defensive positions. Macci has also compared her speed to Venus Williams, calling her “the human Loco” for her ability to chase down shots. “Coco’s makeup speed to live another day and stay alive is like the WTA has not seen since the original Compton Comet Venus,” he said. This combination of a lethal serve and lightning-fast movement has drawn parallels to the Williams sisters, who redefined women’s tennis with their power and agility. Gauff’s 2023 US Open title, won at 19, made her the first American teenager to claim the trophy since Serena in 1999, further fueling comparisons.
As the US Open looms, Gauff’s slice serve will be a focal point. Her 9-1 record in China last fall, including a WTA 1000 title in Beijing, showcased her ability to dominate on hard courts, where the serve’s low bounce is particularly effective. Fans on social media are abuzz, with one noting, “@CocoGauff got wheels,” alongside clips of her diving for shots and firing serves. Gauff herself remains focused, channeling a “Mamba mentality” evident in her WTA Finals comeback against Zheng Qinwen, where she trailed 5-3 in the third set but won 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2). “I’m still in shock honestly,” she posted, reflecting on her $4.8 million payday and historic win as the youngest WTA Finals champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
With the tennis world watching, Gauff’s slice serve could be the key to unlocking another major title, positioning her as the standard-bearer for a new generation of WTA stars.
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