Coco Gauff’s Summer Tennis Success and Serve Improvement

New York — Friends and doubles partners Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff have faced off frequently this summer. Gauff overcame Pegula in the Wimbledon quarterfinals from a set down, and later dominated at the Cincinnati Open final, leading Pegula 5-0 in just 25 minutes to win in straight sets. These victories contribute to Gauff’s four wins out of their last five encounters, with the head-to-head score now tied at 5-5.

A year ago in New York, Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion at the age of 22, started reconstructing her serve and forehand, key shots for any player. She practiced openly, even during an opponent’s medical timeout at Arthur Ashe Stadium, showcasing her determination and resilience.

Pegula, close to Gauff, recognizes her current form. “She’s moving very well right now,” Pegula noted in a news conference before the U.S. Open. “That, plus if she’s serving well, makes it… she’s really good.”

Gauff, known for her dynamic play, has competed in 10 matches on U.S. and Canadian hard courts since Wimbledon, with only two extending to a third set. Her strong performance contrasts with past tournaments, where multiple matches went to three sets, such as the Italian Open and Miami Open.

Ranked No. 4 globally, Gauff has captured significant attention. She holds two Grand Slam titles, including the 2023 U.S. Open, and ranked as high as No. 2. Her Cincinnati Open match against Pegula was the Tennis Channel’s most-viewed women’s tour match.

The U.S. Open is crucial for Gauff, as fans pack Arthur Ashe Stadium each time she plays. Her schedule includes sponsor appearances and interviews, leaving her unavailable for mixed doubles, despite being an ideal choice.

The attention brings pressure. Service yips or a tentative forehand can resurface, but Gauff remains confident. After winning Cincinnati again, Gauff reflected on her improved serving statistics, expressing comfort and confidence entering the U.S. Open.

Coco Gauff has been refining her serve since last year’s U.S. Open.

In 2026, her average double faults dropped from nine to four per match; her first-serve points increased from 67 percent to 75 percent, and second-serve points rose from 37 percent to 52 percent. This transformation in her serve has been pivotal.

Emma Navarro ended Gauff’s title defense in the fourth round two years ago with 19 double faults, prompting Gauff’s resolve to improve her serve.

Instead of complete overhaul, Gauff made adjustments, hiring coach Matt Daly to tweak her hand positioning on the serve and encourage forehand aggression. Early successes included the Beijing Open and WTA Tour Finals wins, but fundamental challenges persisted, notably forehand footwork and weight transfer.

2025 saw her tour-leading double faults at 431 over 65 matches, though she impressively won a match with 23 double faults at the Canadian Open. After Sabalenka split from her biomechanics expert, Gavin MacMillan, Gauff enlisted him to refine her serve technique.

During rainy practice sessions, Gauff demonstrated commitment to improving serve fluidity and consistency. Her first serves can exceed 125 mph, providing confidence and enabling forehand aggression and court control.

Gauff acknowledges her progress, emphasizing serve reliability and its impact on forehand effectiveness and net play. Despite leading in double faults, improvements like a reduced rate at the Cincinnati Open showcase progress. She ranks 16th in first-serve points won yet excels in return games, second only to Iga Świątek in return game win percentage.

Both Gauff and Świątek leverage exceptional movement to compete, setting them apart. Gauff’s defensive capabilities and strategic serving make her a formidable opponent.

Pegula acknowledges Gauff’s challenge heading into New York. “It’s going to be hard going into New York,” Pegula admitted.