Coco Gauff is intensely focusing on improving the two most pivotal shots in tennis – her serve and forehand. The person instrumental in this transformation is new coach, Matt Daly, a former University of Notre Dame player. Daly joined Gauff’s team soon after she registered 19 double faults in a three-set loss to Emma Navarro at the U.S. Open. In the period following Daly’s appointment, Gauff’s game has shown significant progress. Her season began on a high note with a victory at the United Cup and reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. However, her performance in the Middle Eastern tournaments was less than satisfactory, marked by consecutive second-round exits. Currently, she is participating in the Indian Wells tournament, demonstrating resilience in her matches despite continued issues with her serve.
Gauff, seeded third at Indian Wells, had a narrow escape in her opening match against World No. 52 Moyuka Uchijima. Despite winning the match 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4), the 21-year-old American’s performance was marred by 21 double faults out of 65% of her first serves and 74 unforced errors. Gauff herself was not pleased with her performance, rating it a ‘D.’ However, signs of improvement were visible in her next match against Maria Sakkari, where she reduced her double faults to nine.
Former World No. 9 Coco Vandeweghe, during an episode of ‘Tennis Channel Live Podcast,’ offered insights into Gauff’s game. Vandeweghe emphasized the importance of confidence in Gauff’s serves, suggesting that being aggressive with the racket head speed and the legs could bolster her confidence during serving games.
Gauff, however, is no stranger to self-improvement. She has been diligent in her training sessions, recognizing the learning opportunities losses present. Gauff recently broke her losing streak at Indian Wells and seems to be regaining her form.
When asked about how she deals with losses, Gauff said, “I guess it depends on how you lose. If I feel like I did the things that we were working on in practice and the opponent was just better, then it’s okay. That was a step forward.” The young tennis sensation has been continually striving to find positives in her losses.
With a recent victory, Gauff has now made it to the Round of 16 at Indian Wells for the third consecutive year. She is the first American to achieve this feat since Venus Williams (2017-2019), and the youngest since Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion. Serena Williams was also the last American to win Indian Wells, a title she secured in 2001. To follow in Serena’s footsteps, Gauff will have to overcome Belinda Bencic. Gauff has previously defeated the Swiss star twice, including in this year’s Australian Open Round of 16. It remains to be seen whether Gauff can continue her upward trajectory and keep her title aspirations intact.