Even champions have their tough days! Coco Gauff showed immense grit at the US Open, battling more than just her opponent. Her serve troubles led to some incredibly emotional moments on court, but what a comeback! How do athletes keep pushing through such intense pressure?
Despite recently securing her second Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier this year, tennis sensation Coco Gauff has continued to grapple with significant serve consistency issues, presenting a compelling narrative of resilience and vulnerability on the professional circuit. This ongoing struggle has been a notable challenge in the tournaments following her major win, leading to visible frustration and an unexpected early exit at Wimbledon in July.
The underlying problems with her serve were evident from the outset of her US Open campaign in New York, where she was pushed to three sets against Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round. However, the intensity of these struggles escalated dramatically during her second-round clash on Thursday against Donna Vekic, captivating audiences and highlighting the immense pressure athletes face.
During the match against Vekic, Gauff’s serve faltered significantly, resulting in eight double-faults and a visibly emotional display. The pressure of the moment seemed to weigh heavily on the young star, leading to moments of profound internal struggle that were openly broadcast to the world, revealing the human element behind athletic prowess.
At a critical juncture, after missing two consecutive serves, Gauff was seen tearing up, a raw moment of vulnerability that led her to cover her face with a towel on the sideline. Reflecting on this after the match, she articulated, “I just show people what it’s like to be a human, and I have bad days, but I think it’s more about how you get up after those bad moments and how you show up after that.” Her words underscored a powerful message of overcoming adversity.
Gauff’s difficulties with her serve are not isolated incidents at this Grand Slam; she currently leads the WTA Tour with over 300 double-faults this season. This statistic underscores a persistent technical challenge that has plagued her performance, with prior matches also seeing high double-fault counts, including 10 against Tomljanovic and a staggering 16 at the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals.
In an effort to rectify these persistent issues, Gauff sought the expertise of a new coach, known for his work in helping Aryna Sabalenka refine her serve, just prior to the US Open. This decision, though strategic, presented its own set of challenges, as Gauff noted, “The biggest challenge is just changing the motion and changing everything before such a big tournament for me.”
The intensity of the tournament, coupled with the technical adjustments, created a significant mental hurdle. Gauff openly acknowledged the role of “nerves and just pressure, honestly,” in her performance, adding, “There’s been a lot on me this tournament, more than usual, which I expected coming in.” Despite the internal turmoil, her ability to reset during the match was crucial for her advancement.
Interestingly, while Gauff registered seven double-faults and had her serve broken four times in the first set, she displayed remarkable composure and improved significantly in the second set, tallying zero service breaks and just a single double-fault. This stark contrast highlights her mental fortitude and ability to adapt under pressure, ultimately securing a 7-6(5), 6-2 victory over Vekic.
With this hard-fought win, Gauff is set to advance to the third round, where she will face No. 28 seed Magdalena Frech, who secured her spot by defeating American Peyton Stearns. The tennis world will be watching closely to see if Gauff can continue to battle her way through the tournament, further solidifying her resilience on the court.
