Coco Gauff has rapidly emerged as one of the most compelling and talented young stars in contemporary tennis. At just 21 years old, she has captured the imagination of fans worldwide with her tenacity, powerful groundstrokes, and fearless style of play. As she prepares to face Veronika Kudermetova at the Montreal Open, anticipation is high to see how this rising star continues to evolve.

Gauff’s journey into tennis stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. Born in 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia, she burst onto the scene as a fresh-faced 15-year-old when she stunned the tennis world by defeating Venus Williams in the first round of Wimbledon 2019. That win thrust her into the spotlight and marked the beginning of an extraordinary career. She is now a mainstay in the upper echelons of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, consistently demonstrating maturity beyond her years on the court.

Among her many accomplishments, Gauff’s victory at the 2019 Linz Open made her the youngest WTA titleholder since 2004. More recently, she claimed her maiden Grand Slam title in doubles at the 2022 French Open, partnering with Jessica Pegula. While some narratives suggest she has won singles Grand Slam titles already, as of mid-2024, Gauff is still actively chasing that milestone. Her steadily rising singles game and deep runs in major tournaments like the US Open underscore her potential to achieve this feat in the near future.

Throughout her steady ascent, one element of Gauff’s game has drawn particular scrutiny: her serve. Despite her strengths—speed, court coverage, and aggressive baseline play—her serve remains somewhat inconsistent. This area is often viewed as the last hurdle she needs to surmount to elevate her game from great to truly elite. Inconsistencies on serve manifest as double faults or missed opportunities to dictate points early, and they sometimes allow opponents a psychological foothold.

One recent illustration came during a match against Danielle Collins, where Gauff faced challenges with her serving rhythm. Despite hitting 23 double faults—a surprisingly high number—she managed to persevere and secure victory. Such resilience speaks volumes about her mental toughness and ability to remain composed under pressure, traits essential to succeeding at the highest level.

The serve has been a focal point for coaches, commentators, and legends alike. Lindsay Davenport, a former world number one and Grand Slam champion, weighed in on the situation during a Tennis Channel Live Podcast. She highlighted how Gauff appeared to be experimenting with adjustments to improve her serve but had yet to find full comfort or confidence with the new mechanics. Davenport’s insights emphasize that the serving motion is often delicate; even subtle changes can temporarily unsettle a player’s rhythm before paying dividends in the long run.

It’s worth noting that refining one’s serve is no easy task, even for elite professionals. Many tennis greats, including Serena Williams and Venus Williams, retooled aspects of their games multiple times during their careers. The serving technique, in particular, demands a blend of power, precision, and consistency—qualities that often take years to hone under pressure.

Historically, tennis legends like Billie Jean King—who once said, “Tennis is a game of inches”—understood that the smallest margins often decide outcomes. Gauff’s journey echoes this truth. The improvements she seeks in her serve could unlock the next stages of her career, enabling her to dominate opponents with both baseline aggression and a formidable service game.

Looking ahead, Gauff’s focus sharpens as the tennis calendar progresses toward the US Open, a tournament where she has already demonstrated tremendous potential. Reaching multiple quarterfinal stages and beyond in recent years, she has proven her ability to compete against the best players on one of the sport’s biggest stages. As the world number two heading into Flushing Meadows, expectations are sky-high.

Beyond her performance on court, Gauff represents a new generation of athletes who use their platform to advocate for social justice, equality, and change. Following in the footsteps of pioneers like Arthur Ashe and the Williams sisters, she embodies the convergence of talent, character, and commitment beyond tennis.

While the serve might remain a work in progress, Gauff’s overall narrative is one of relentless growth, unyielding spirit, and promise. Fans and analysts alike eagerly await the day when her serving woes become a footnote in a career filled with titles, records, and memorable moments. Until then, her journey continues to captivate, reminding us all why she is one of the sport’s brightest young stars.