Coco Gauff, at just 21 years old, is already a formidable presence on the women’s tennis circuit, celebrated both for her athletic prowess and her engaging personality. However, one persistent challenge has followed her throughout her professional journey: her serve. More specifically, her double faults have drawn significant attention and concern from fans, commentators, and the tennis community at large.

Serving is often described as the most critical and technically demanding component of tennis. A strong serve sets the tone for each point, offering players the opportunity to seize control early. For Gauff, while her speed, agility, and shot-making skills are undeniable, her serve has been a thorn in her side. This flaw has occasionally overshadowed her achievements, leading some critics to suggest that overcoming these serving difficulties could be the key to unlocking her full potential and advancing further to the very top of the sport.

Throughout her career, double faults — instances when a second serve falls outside the service box, resulting in a lost point — have plagued Gauff at an unusually high frequency. In the 2023 season, she accumulated over 400 double faults in less than 70 matches, a statistic that places her near the top of the WTA double fault leaderboard. Such a number is notable because it stands in stark contrast to her overall match success and tournament victories.

Interestingly, Gauff’s serve issues are not just a recent development. From her breakthrough moment at Wimbledon in 2019 — where she announced herself on the global stage by defeating Venus Williams at just 15 — observers noted that her serve, while powerful, lacked consistency. The pressure of big matches has often magnified this weakness. It’s a reminder that even gifted athletes must continually refine every facet of their game, no matter how early success might suggest otherwise.

In an effort to sharpen her serve and address this ongoing difficulty, Gauff made a strategic coaching change ahead of the US Open in 2023. She brought on Gavin MacMillan, a coach with a reputation for helping players enhance their serving mechanics and mental composure under pressure. MacMillan’s guidance has been a positive influence, but even with professional support, serving improvement is often a gradual process, given the complex biomechanical and psychological elements involved.

Despite her serving woes, Gauff’s resilience and overall skill have been nothing short of remarkable. In 2023 alone, she captured multiple titles, including significant successes at high-level tournaments—demonstrating that while her serve might cost her points, it has not lost her matches. Winning 13 trophies in such a competitive season reflects her adaptability, mental toughness, and relentless work ethic. It’s also a testament to how tennis success hinges on more than just one shot or one skill.

The conversation around Gauff’s serve also opens a larger dialogue about the evolution of tennis techniques in recent decades. Historically, players like Serena Williams and Venus Williams revolutionized women’s serving with power and precision. Serena, in particular, set a benchmark for how a consistently dominant serve could control matches. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal’s incredible topspin forehand and mental fortitude became iconic on the men’s circuit. To be “serving aces like Nadal” might be a playful exaggeration, but it underscores how top players transform perceived weaknesses into strengths.

Additionally, Gauff’s journey draws parallels to other young tennis phenoms who struggled with their serve early on but gradually mastered it under pressure. Players such as Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep encountered similar challenges yet went on to craft powerful, reliable serves that complemented their overall games perfectly.

What makes Gauff’s story compelling is not just her talent, but her approach to adversity. Instead of allowing double faults to define her, she has used them as motivation to improve. This determination is reminiscent of the grit displayed by tennis legends who battled injuries, self-doubt, and technical flaws before rising to greatness.

For Gauff, the road to perfecting her serve will undoubtedly involve tweaking her toss, refining her footwork, and building greater mental consistency during critical points. Serving is both a physical and psychological act—requiring split-second timing, confidence, and a steady hand. With her current drive, it’s likely she will turn this once-vulnerable area into a weapon.

In the meantime, Coco Gauff remains a tennis force, captivating audiences with her explosive game and persistently climbing the ranks despite the double faults—a reminder that imperfection does not preclude victory. Her story illustrates a universal lesson in sports and life: setbacks can fuel success, and persistence often outshines perfection.

As fans, we can watch with anticipation as Gauff continues to develop her serve while serving up next-level tennis performances. One thing is clear: her spirit, skill, and resilience will keep her at the forefront of the game for years to come.