US Open: Coco Gauff’s ‘bad technique’ criticised by former world No 1 as Nick Kyrgios makes coaching offer

Former doubles world No 1 Rennae Stubbs assessed that Coco Gauff has “bad technique” on her serve after the American’s exit at the 2024 US Open. 

Gauff‘s US Open title defence ended with a three-set defeat to world No 12 and fellow American Emma Navarro in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.

The 20-year-old star has been hampered by serving struggles at times this year and it was this area of her game that was particularly problematic against Navarro. She made only 46% of her first serves and hit 19 double faults.

“Overall, I think I played well for the most part. I just didn’t take care of my serve, so that was the biggest difference,” Gauff reflected in her press conference.

“I definitely want to get other opinions because… I think it’s sometimes more of an emotional, mental thing because if I go out on the practice court right now, I would make, like, 30 serves in a row. I’ve done it before.

“I think it’s also just kind of a mental hurdle that I have to get over when it comes with that. But, yeah, I definitely want to look at other things because I don’t want to lose matches like this anymore.”

In reply to a Twitter user calling for Gauff’s coach Brad Gilbert to be replaced, Nick Kyrgios expressed his interest in coaching the American star.

“I’d coach her,” the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up wrote.

Stubbs — a former coach of Serena Williams — broke down the technical issues she sees with Gauff’s serve after the world No 3’s match against Navarro.