Coco Gauff entered the Montreal Open with a mix of determination and reflection. The young American sensation, still only in her early twenties, has already made waves in the tennis world, but recent struggles had threatened to stall her momentum. Just weeks earlier, she celebrated a career highlight by securing her second Grand Slam title, a testament to her resilience and growing maturity on court. However, this high was quickly offset by a disappointing early exit at Wimbledon, where unforced errors and inconsistent serving undermined her performance.

One particular issue has dogged Gauff throughout the season: her troubling frequency of double faults. The serve, a fundamental weapon in any player’s arsenal, turned into a liability for her. It’s a flaw that jeopardizes confidence and shifts the momentum to opponents. In her opening match against Danielle Collins in Montreal, Gauff seemed to wrestle with this very struggle. Yet, over the grueling three-hour battle, she demonstrated flashes of brilliance — a reminder of why she is considered one of the sport’s brightest stars. Despite the setbacks, her ability to dig deep and stay competitive reflects a mental toughness beyond her years.

Addressing her double-fault problem is critical for Gauff as she moves forward. Serving accurately and confidently is non-negotiable for anyone aiming to remain at the top echelons of women’s tennis. The experience of one of her contemporaries, Aryna Sabalenka, offers a useful blueprint. Sabalenka had long been known for her powerful but inconsistent serve, often leading the tour in double faults. Yet, in recent years, she undertook rigorous behind-the-scenes work aimed at refining this aspect of her game. The dedication paid off: Sabalenka no longer ranks near the top for double faults, showing how targeted practice can transform a weakness into a more reliable weapon. Gauff, with her similar style of aggressive baseline play, could benefit from adopting a comparable approach.

Historically, serve reliability has been a hallmark of the greats in tennis. Players like Serena Williams and Steffi Graf, who dominated through different eras, mastered the blend of power and precision on serve. Graf’s slice serve and Williams’ booming flat serve set standards that terrified opponents. Even more recently, champions like Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep have illustrated how a dependable serve gives a player crucial control in matches. Gauff, aware of this legacy, recognizes that her serve is not just about power but mental poise under pressure.

Beyond raw technique, serving well demands consistency, focus, and adaptability during play. Gauff’s journey so far proves she is capable of all these traits. Just weeks before Montreal, she showcased her ability to maintain composure in tight spots, edging out seasoned players and seizing crucial points to claim a Grand Slam. That fighting spirit is her greatest asset, and if harnessed with improved serving, it could elevate her game to an even higher level.

Moreover, Gauff’s development can be seen in the context of young American tennis stars striving to reclaim prominence on the world stage. Since the era of the Williams sisters, American women’s tennis has seen fluctuations in dominance, with Gauff representing a fresh face to potentially ignite a new golden era. Her rise also dovetails with a broader internationalization of the game, where players from Eastern Europe, Asia, and South America have increasingly challenged traditional powerhouses.

As the second half of the season unfolds, Gauff’s focus on ironing out her serving issues will be under close scrutiny. Fixing the double-fault habit may involve technical adjustments, mental coaching, and hours of practice — a commitment she appears ready to make. For a player of her talent and drive, setbacks like these become fuel rather than roadblocks.

Ultimately, the serve symbolizes more than just a stroke; it embodies control, confidence, and momentum. For Coco Gauff, finding that “perfect serve” could be akin to unlocking a new phase of her career, allowing her to consistently dictate play and convert opportunities into victories. If recent history serves as any indication, Gauff’s blend of youthful exuberance and hard-earned poise might soon make those double faults a relic of the past, serving up a bright future on the tennis court.