NEW YORK — Coco Gauff finds herself wishing for more time to refine her new service motion in what she described as “a high-pressure situation” at the US Open.
She would have appreciated an extended collaboration with serving expert Gavin MacMillan, rather than the mere six days they had together before presenting the adjustments to a crowded Arthur Ashe Stadium and millions of viewers worldwide.
Yet, that’s how the schedule unfolded. Gauff, ranked No. 3, stood resolute at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday night, facing a tough match against Alja Tomljanovic—a player who infamously ended Serena Williams’ illustrious career.
“For me, the first round is often more intense than the final,” Gauff expressed, reflecting on her recent first-round drop at Wimbledon. “I think this was a valuable test for me.”
And what a test it was. Despite encountering turbulence during the match — including 10 double-faults and six service breaks — Gauff clinched a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 victory against Tomljanovic after nearly three hours of play.
“It’s certainly challenging to navigate through the match and confront those internal struggles,” the reigning French Open champion admitted, “especially since this is my first tournament.”
How did Gauff fare in her initial match with the revamped serve?
As anticipated, the match had its fair share of highs and lows, particularly evident in its closing moments.
Serving for the match at 5-4 in the final set, Gauff stumbled with consecutive double-faults, allowing Tomljanovic to break back and level the score.
“That felt like an old habit resurfacing,” Gauff reflected. “But the next game was a significant improvement.”
And indeed it was. After breaking back, Gauff found another opportunity to serve for the match at 6-5, and this time she secured the win.
“I told myself, ‘I need to trust the work we put in on the court,’” she recounted, “and that’s exactly what I did in that game.”
Who is Gavin MacMillan, Gauff’s new serving coach?
MacMillan is a biomechanics authority who trains athletes across various disciplines. In tennis, he notably transformed Aryna Sabalenka’s serve in 2022, helping her overcome double-fault challenges similar to those Gauff currently faces. The 21-year-old American recorded 19 double-faults in her US Open loss last year and has already surpassed 300 this season.
Shortly after teaming up with MacMillan, Sabalenka captured her first major title, including last year’s US Open, quickly ascending to the No. 1 ranking.
For Gauff, MacMillan has utilized video analysis and data to revolutionize her service motion. She noted that her practice regimen has been so intense that she’s “literally served until my shoulder began to ache.”
“I recognize this is the part of my game that must elevate,” she stated, “if I want to achieve the results I aim for.”
What specific modifications is Gauff making to her service technique?
During her match, it appeared that she was adjusting her body rotation and altering her toss location.
“It’s an entirely new motion. There are times I execute it perfectly and others when I don’t. When I do it right, it yields excellent results. It’s all about reminding myself how to achieve that,” she explained. “But naturally, there are numerous thoughts racing through my mind during critical moments, not just about the serve, but also about point strategy and my opponent’s play.”
Nonetheless, Gauff was cautious not to divulge too much to the press.
“I prefer to keep some specifics of our work private,” she clarified. “I’m open, but I’ll hold on to certain details.”
Did Gauff serve at a slower pace than usual during her US Open win against Ajla Tomljanovic?
Gauff can indeed unleash powerful serves when called for: she clocked one at 117 m.p.h. in the final set. However, she intentionally opted for a slower serve against Tomljanovic, particularly at the match’s outset.
Her first serve speeds averaged 88 m.p.h. in the first set, 97 m.p.h. in the second, and 101 m.p.h. in the third.
“Serving at a slower pace is a personal decision,” Gauff noted. “I know I can amp up my serve when needed, but it’s important for me to remain in the rhythm we’ve practiced.”
