As the US Open draws near, Coco Gauff, the rising American tennis star, is making strategic changes to sharpen her game in what promises to be a critical season for her career. Facing challenges with her serve in recent tournaments, Gauff has enlisted the expertise of a specialist well-known for transforming serves at the highest level: Gavin MacMillan, the biomechanical coach credited with refining Aryna Sabalenka’s serve. This collaboration signals Gauff’s determination not only to correct key weaknesses but also to elevate her overall performance in tennis’s final Grand Slam of the year, held at Flushing Meadows.

Gauff’s recent performances have revealed a vulnerability in her serving game, particularly noticeable in her struggles with double faults and inconsistent delivery under pressure. These issues came into sharp focus during the Cincinnati Open, where early exits and serve-related frustrations underscored the need for change. Recognizing this, Gauff’s team decided to secure guidance from MacMillan, whose reputation precedes him in professional tennis. MacMillan’s work with Sabalenka is well-documented; he helped the Belarusian star increase her serve’s power, reliability, and effectiveness, catalyzing her rise from a talented top-10 player to a Grand Slam champion with multiple major titles. His approach centers on biomechanics — analyzing and optimizing the joints, angles, and weight shifts involved in the serving motion to build a more fluid, stable, and forceful serve.

Improving a serve is no small feat, especially at the elite level where every millisecond and millimeter of technique counts. But Gauff has shown remarkable maturity and adaptability throughout her career, qualities that bode well for her work with MacMillan. This renewed focus on serve mechanics is expected to give her the edge she needs, especially on the fast hard courts of the US Open, where a strong serve can often determine momentum and match outcomes. Over the years, many tennis legends have revolutionized their games by honing their serves, from Serena Williams’ powerful delivery to Pete Sampras’ precision. Gauff’s decision reflects a similar understanding of the serve’s importance as a weapon and psychological tool on the court.

However, the physical adjustments to her serve come hand in hand with mental preparation. Gauff is also collaborating closely with Jean-Christophe Faurel, her longtime coach, to rebuild her mental resilience. During high-stakes matches, a player’s mindset can be as decisive as physical prowess, influencing shot selection, stress management, and recovery from setbacks. Faurel’s guidance aims to bolster Gauff’s confidence, helping her stay composed and focused amid the relentless intensity of Grand Slam competition. This dual emphasis on technical improvement and mental toughness is a hallmark of many successful athletes, reflecting a holistic approach to excellence.

Coco Gauff’s journey is particularly remarkable given her age and rapid ascent in professional tennis. She first captured global attention in 2019 as a 15-year-old when she made a sensational run to the fourth round at Wimbledon, defeating Venus Williams in the process. Since then, she has continued to impress with a powerful, athletic style and mature on-court demeanor uncommon for a teenager. While expectations have soared, Gauff’s willingness to seek out expertise like MacMillan’s shows her commitment to sustained improvement rather than resting on early successes.

Historically, the path to Grand Slam glory often involves overcoming technical challenges and evolving one’s game. For instance, legends like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal made significant adjustments to their serves early in their careers, which later contributed to their dominance. Similarly, Venus and Serena Williams continually refined their serving techniques and strategies to stay competitive against younger rivals. Gauff’s current efforts fit within this tradition of relentless refinement that characterizes champions.

As she prepares to step onto the courts at Flushing Meadows, Gauff faces the pressure and excitement of competing in front of a home crowd at one of the sport’s most prestigious stages. Integrating MacMillan’s biomechanical insights with Faurel’s coaching, she is set to test new serve techniques in practice sessions that could redefine her matches. Tennis insiders and fans alike will be watching closely to see if this partnership sparks the improvements Gauff desperately seeks.

In the end, tennis is a game of fine margins, where confidence, technique, and mental strength intertwine. Gauff’s proactive approach to addressing her serve woes and mental game underscores her ambition and seriousness about winning at the highest level. With hard work and expert guidance, she is poised to transform recent setbacks into opportunities for breakthrough success at the US Open. And as the tournament unfolds, tennis enthusiasts can look forward to a compelling display of resilience, skill, and growth from one of America’s most promising stars.