As Coco Gauff wrapped up her campaign at the China Open with another semifinal exit, the 20-year-old American rising star was left reflecting on the subtle but critical adjustments needed to elevate her game. Although reaching the semis in a Premier-level tournament like Beijing is an impressive feat by any standard, Gauff’s ambition stretches far beyond steady progress—she’s aiming for titles, deep runs in Grand Slams, and a place among the sport’s elite. After falling to the talented young Russian Mirra Andreeva, Gauff’s focus quickly turned to refining her tools and strategies as she prepared for the upcoming Wuhan Open.

One of the most talked-about areas in Gauff’s game right now is her forehand. The stroke is often described as one of the most important weapons in modern tennis—capable of dictating play, generating winners, and opening up the court. Gauff’s forehand has always been solid, but experts and coaches see room for her to unlock an even more potent version of the shot. Former coach Rick Macci, famed for guiding legends like Venus and Serena Williams in their early careers, has been particularly vocal. In a recent commentary, Macci urged Gauff to “rewire” her forehand by adopting a more biomechanically efficient technique. This involves positioning the racquet outside the body and embracing two quick, shorter pronations—a movement that ATP players commonly use to generate explosive, controlled power and spin.

To the casual observer, this might sound technical or abstract, but in tennis terms, it means Gauff is encouraged to rethink how she initiates and follows through on her forehands. Mastery of such nuances can lead to improved shot depth and pace, a vital difference when competing against the best players in the world. Indeed, fine-tuning these mechanics could be the key to helping her forehand become a consistent weapon under pressure, particularly in tight matches or on big points.

Beyond the forehand, Gauff is also working on her first serve—a critical component of any top player’s arsenal. At the China Open, she won just 39% of points on her first serve, a figure that underlines the need for improvement. Winning the majority of first-serve points not only puts opponents under immediate pressure but also preserves the player’s own energy by avoiding long rallies in service games. Throughout her ascent on the WTA Tour, Gauff’s serve has shown flashes of brilliance but has lacked consistency, often limiting her effectiveness in crucial moments. Addressing this will be essential for her to build the offensive rhythm necessary to win more matches, especially on faster surfaces.

Gauff’s journey is reminiscent of other young prodigies who have had to revamp parts of their game as they transition from promising talents to tournament champions. Notably, the American prodigy learned early on the importance of adapting and evolving. Her breakthrough came as a 15-year-old at Wimbledon in 2019 when she stunned Venus Williams, signaling her arrival on the world stage. Since then, she has balanced raw power and athleticism with strategic refinement, a process common among the sport’s all-time greats. Players like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova also faced pivotal moments where shot adjustments and mental evolution transformed their careers.

The Wuhan Open offers Gauff a renewed stage to showcase these improvements. Seeded third, she enjoys a first-round bye—allowing her extra time to prepare physically and mentally. Her potential early-round opponents include Xinyu Wang or a qualifier, followed possibly by formidable opponents like Mirra Andreeva, Karolina Muchova, or Emma Navarro. Each matchup represents a chance to test out her updated techniques or adapt on the fly, an essential skill given the intense competition on the WTA Tour.

Looking beyond Wuhan, the autumn stretch of the season is critical for Gauff’s aspirations. After years of steady development, the 2024 season may well define her trajectory moving forward. Tennis history teaches us that players who successfully integrate technical adjustments with mental resilience often end up not just contenders but champions. Gauff’s career so far exemplifies determination. From creating history as the youngest American to win a WTA main draw match since 1991 to reaching multiple semifinals and finals, she has continually risen to challenges.

Ultimately, her experience in Beijing and the challenges ahead underscore a timeless tennis truth: setbacks are part of the journey, but true champions distinguish themselves by their ability to recover, adapt, and fight even harder. As she steps onto the courts in Wuhan, Coco Gauff’s focus is clear. She is not just chasing wins; she is crafting a legacy—one forehand, one serve, and one match at a time.