Coco Gauff has continued to cement her place among the elite players in women’s tennis, delivering another remarkable season in 2024. The 20-year-old American has built on her career-defining US Open win in 2023, reaching new milestones and establishing herself as one of the sport’s most promising young stars. As of late 2024, Gauff has climbed to a career-high World No. 2 ranking, a testament to her consistency, growth, and resilience.
**A Strong 2024 Campaign: Grand Slam Success and Major Milestones**
The year began with high expectations for Gauff, and she has more than met those demands. She started the season with strong performances in the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, where she made it to the quarterfinals. However, it was during the clay season that Gauff truly found her stride. At the French Open, she advanced to the semifinals, where she faced world number one Iga Świątek. While Gauff fell short in that encounter, the result showcased her ability to challenge the best on the biggest stages. Her performance at Roland Garros was especially notable, as it reinforced her growing reputation as a top contender in the women’s game.
Despite the French Open setback, Gauff’s rise in 2024 has been defined by her growing consistency at the Grand Slams. She’s demonstrated a mature and steady game, with her athleticism and fierce competitive spirit making her one of the toughest players on tour.
A key achievement this year has been her sustained presence in the top echelons of the WTA rankings, reaching as high as world No. 2. Gauff’s rapid ascent has been underpinned by her strong results throughout the season, with a series of deep runs in tournaments that have showcased her ability to compete with the best, not only in individual events but also on the tour as a whole.
**Coaching Change: The Impact of Matt Daly**
In addition to her on-court performances, Gauff also made a significant change off the court in 2024 by switching coaches. After a few years working with Brad Gilbert, the American decided to bring on Matt Daly, a coach with a fresh perspective and a different approach. Daly’s appointment initially raised some eyebrows, but it didn’t take long for the new partnership to show positive results.
Under Daly’s guidance, Gauff quickly found a new level of success, highlighted by her triumph at the 2024 China Open. In a commanding performance, she defeated Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-3 in the final, claiming her second WTA 1000 title. This victory was one of the biggest of Gauff’s career and showed the potential of her partnership with Daly.
The China Open win was especially notable not just for the title itself but also for the way Gauff dominated the final. Her athleticism, precise shot-making, and mental resilience were all on display, signaling that the 20-year-old has all the tools to challenge for even bigger titles in the future. However, her triumph in Beijing was followed by some setbacks that continue to haunt her in 2024 — namely, recurring issues with her serve.
**Serving Woes: Tim Henman Weighs In**
Throughout the season, Gauff has struggled with her serve, a problem that has become increasingly apparent. One of the key weaknesses in her game this year has been a high number of double faults, something that hindered her at the Wuhan Open, where she committed a season-high 21 double faults in a defeat to Aryna Sabalenka. This inconsistency has been one of the defining challenges for Gauff in 2024, especially given how much of a free point it gives her opponents.
Former British tennis star and commentator Tim Henman, speaking on the *Sky Sports Tennis* podcast, weighed in on the issue, agreeing that Gauff’s serve is a significant struggle. “100% It’s a struggle right now,” Henman said, citing Gauff’s unusual grip and positioning as part of the technical problem. “Technically, it’s a pretty extreme grip, and when you look at where the ball toss is on her second serve and where her weight is going, it’s not ideal.”
Henman pointed out that while the serve may not be a major weapon for Gauff, it doesn’t have to be one for her to be successful. “It doesn’t need to be an amazing weapon,” Henman said. “If it’s solid and reliable, with her athletic ability and her backhand, I think her forehand will become more solid.”
Henman also expressed confidence in Gauff’s potential, predicting that despite her serving issues, she would win more Grand Slam titles in the future. “She has won a slam, and I think she can and will win more slams in the future,” Henman added, emphasizing Gauff’s exceptional talent and mental resilience.
**Statistical Struggles: Gauff’s Double Faults**
The numbers tell a similar story. In 2024, Gauff has become the leader on the WTA Tour in double faults, surpassing even the likes of Marta Kostyuk by a wide margin. At this point in the season, Gauff has already accumulated significantly more double faults than any other player on tour, marking a sharp decline from 2023 when she ranked 18th in double faults with just over 200.
This sharp increase in double faults is troubling, especially for a player of Gauff’s caliber. Every double fault represents a free point for her opponent, which is especially detrimental in high-stakes matches. For a player with aspirations of competing for multiple Grand Slam titles, addressing these serving issues should be a top priority heading into the 2025 season.
**Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond**
Despite the serving struggles, Gauff’s overall game remains incredibly strong. With the 2024 season winding down and the WTA Finals on the horizon, Gauff has already secured a win over Jessica Pegula, and she is preparing for her next challenge against Iga Świątek. Her ability to stay competitive at the highest level, even when dealing with ongoing technical issues, speaks to her mental toughness and commitment to improving.
Heading into 2025, Gauff’s goals will undoubtedly center around refining her serve and finding consistency in that department. If she can overcome her serving struggles, her all-around game — including her incredible movement, defense, and offensive capabilities — will make her an even more formidable player on the WTA Tour.
As Gauff continues to evolve and build on her successes, the future looks bright for the 20-year-old. With her growing experience, solid coaching partnership with Matt Daly, and unmatched determination, 2025 could be the year that sees her claim her second Grand Slam title and further solidify her place as one of the sport’s biggest stars.
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