Coco Gauff is running out of time to fix her most persistent flaw—her serve. With just over a month until the French Open, the American star is once again facing serious questions after a disappointing quarter-final loss at the Stuttgart Open.
Gauff fell in straight sets to Jasmine Paolini, 6-4, 6-3, despite having beaten the Italian in their two previous meetings. But this time, her unreliable serve let her down in crucial moments—particularly at 5-4 in the first set, where back-to-back double faults handed Paolini the momentum.
This match was just the latest in a string of concerning performances for the world No 4, whose serving issues have become a troubling trend.
The Double Fault Dilemma
The stats tell the story. Gauff currently leads the WTA Tour in double faults in 2025, with 121 in just 18 matches. That’s nearly seven double faults per match—a staggering number for a top-tier player.
For comparison:
- Ashlyn Krueger: 119 double faults in 23 matches
- Marta Kostyuk: 118 in 18 matches
- Aryna Sabalenka (World No 1): 33 in 23 matches
- Iga Swiatek (World No 2): 66 in 27 matches
These figures highlight how Gauff is regularly giving away free points—and it’s costing her dearly.
Past and Present Pressure
The 2022 French Open runner-up has proven she can perform on clay, but unless she finds consistency with her serve, her Grand Slam prospects remain in doubt. The loss to Paolini underscores just how vulnerable she becomes when her service motion falters under pressure.
In Indian Wells last month, she hit 21 double faults in her opening match alone. Against Maria Sakkari, she threw in six more—just in her final service game.
Despite holding a rankings cushion over Madison Keys for a top-four seed in Paris, Gauff’s latest performance raises red flags about her title chances. Until she solves her service issues, her potential remains capped—even with her elite athleticism and baseline game.
Paolini Shines
While Gauff struggled, Paolini took full advantage.
“I think I played aggressively, and I was so consistent, not too many mistakes,” said the Italian.
“When I hit the ball hard, I enjoy myself. That made me feel joy today.”
Looking Ahead
Gauff still has time to turn things around before Roland Garros—but not much. With her serve continuing to break down at critical moments, the clock is ticking for her and her coaching team to find a lasting solution!
