At just 19 years old, Coco Gauff has already made a significant mark on the world of tennis. Bursting onto the scene as a teenage phenom, she has shown flashes of brilliance that suggest a future filled with major championships. Yet, despite her extraordinary talent and physical gifts, there is a growing consensus among analysts and fans alike that her serve remains a glaring weakness holding her back from truly dominating the sport.

Gauff’s serve inconsistencies are well documented. Her second-serve percentage fluctuates, sometimes putting her at the mercy of aggressive opponents who can exploit these moments to seize control of matches. This vulnerability is particularly problematic given the high-stakes nature of professional tennis, where a reliable serve often separates champions from contenders. Remarkably, even experts like Jimmy Arias, a former pro turned commentator, have highlighted how much effort Gauff puts into revising her forehand biomechanics, yet her serve continues to trouble her. On the Inside-In Podcast, Arias noted the emotional toll this takes, suggesting that Gauff’s anxiety about her serve impacts her confidence on court more than most players experience. He described the panic she might feel, akin to walking onto a battlefield unsure if one’s most fundamental weapon will function.

This predicament is not unique in tennis history. Many of the game’s greats faced early serve struggles before mastering it and rising to dominance. A compelling comparison lies with Aryna Sabalenka, who currently sits near the top of the women’s game as world number three and a two-time Grand Slam champion. Early in her career, Sabalenka battled with serve issues similar to those Gauff endures now. Unlike Gauff, Sabalenka managed to recalibrate her serve mechanics and, equally important, build the mental fortitude to trust her serve—transforming it into a formidable weapon. Arias’ insight reinforces this point: mastering the serve relies not only on technical adjustments but also on establishing the right rhythm and overcoming the psychological barriers associated with it.

Beyond serving, Gauff’s rise is an example of a new generation reshaping women’s tennis. She made headlines as a precocious 15-year-old when she stunned Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019, showcasing speed, agility, and a competitive spirit few could match. This victory was historic—not just because of her young age, but because it harkened back to another youthful prodigy, Jennifer Capriati, who burst onto the scene in the late 1980s with similar early promise and challenges. Gauff’s journey parallels many legends who matured through perseverance and adaptation.

Historically, the serve has often been the defining stroke in tennis’s great rivalries. Players like Serena Williams revolutionized the women’s game with power serving, while legends such as Pete Sampras and Roger Federer built their legacies around precision and rhythm. The serve, often called the “ultimate weapon,” demands not only strength but also flawless biomechanics and unwavering confidence. The kinesthetic chain—how the legs, hips, torso, arm, and wrist coordinate—must be perfectly synchronized to produce an effective serve. Arias emphasizes this kinetic chain and rhythm as central to the process of becoming a reliable server, a lesson Gauff is now learning firsthand.

Alongside the technical and mental challenges, Gauff also faces a demanding schedule in the modern tennis calendar. The grind of travel, back-to-back tournaments, and media obligations can exacerbate inconsistencies, especially for a young player still balancing physical development and experience. Historically, many players such as Martina Hingis or Maria Sharapova had to manage these pressures while refining their games. The resilience they built became a crucial element of their success.

Looking forward, Gauff’s next chapters will likely hinge on how effectively she addresses her serving issues. If she can emulate Sabalenka’s transformation—fixing her serve mechanics and mastering the mental game—she has the potential to rule women’s tennis for years to come. Her athleticism, work ethic, and prior success suggest she is more than capable of making this leap. For fans and commentators, the hope is that she finds that elusive serve rhythm, turning what was once a liability into a weapon that complements her dynamic baseline play.

Her story remains in motion, a compelling saga of youthful promise, struggle, adjustment, and resilience. As the legendary coach Nick Bollettieri once said, “The serve is like a good joke—you’ve got to set them up and then knock ’em down.” With determination and expert guidance, Gauff’s journey is far from over. Soon, she may be serving up aces—and victories—that will secure her place among tennis’s elite and delight fans worldwide.