Coco Gauff’s Backhand: “Like Djokovic’s, But With Even More Power”
Coco Gauff has been drawing comparisons to Novak Djokovic for her exceptional backhand, with tennis legend Martina Navratilova declaring it one of the most powerful shots on the WTA Tour—potentially surpassing even Djokovic’s iconic two-handed version. In an interview with WTA Tennis ahead of the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Navratilova praised Gauff’s precision and reliability on the backhand side, calling it “money” and noting its role in her hard-court dominance. “Her backhand is like Djokovic’s—maybe with even more power. It’s money,” Navratilova said, highlighting how Gauff’s shot has evolved into a weapon that combines Djokovic’s consistency with explosive topspin, contributing to her undefeated 9-0 record in hard-court finals this season.
The Comparison: Gauff’s Backhand Evolution
Gauff, 21, has long admired Djokovic’s backhand, often citing it as a blueprint for her own game. In a 2024 interview with *The Athletic*, she revealed studying his technique to fix her own serving woes, drawing parallels to how Djokovic refined his backhand under coach Goran Ivanisevic in 2019, transforming it into a cornerstone of his 24 Grand Slam haul. Navratilova echoed this, emphasizing Gauff’s backhand as her “real weapon” amid serve improvements with biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan. “When the serve is happening, it’s a real weapon… but her backhand is like Djokovic’s, maybe with even more power,” the 18-time Grand Slam champion added.
Gauff’s backhand shines in hard-court rallies, where she won 70% of points ending with it in her Wuhan Open title run (October 2025). Unlike Djokovic’s flatter, penetrating stroke, Gauff’s generates heavier topspin (averaging 2,800 RPM vs. Djokovic’s 2,500), allowing her to dip the ball sharply and force errors. This edge has fueled her 41-12 record in 2025, including the Australian Open and Wuhan titles.
Gauff’s Serve Overhaul: Copying Djokovic’s Blueprint
Gauff’s backhand praise coincides with her ongoing serve transformation, inspired by Djokovic’s mid-career tweaks. In a *The National* interview, Gauff revealed hiring MacMillan—credited with fixing Aryna Sabalenka’s serve—to address her 405 double faults in 2025. “I was looking at Novak—he didn’t have as great a serve in the beginning… he made that change and became Novak Djokovic,” Gauff said, noting Djokovic’s serve evolution under Ivanisevic propelled him to GOAT status. Gauff’s new motion, emphasizing hip rotation and toss consistency, has cut double faults by 20% in her last five matches, with 68% first-serve points won in Wuhan.
Navratilova’s Full Praise: Gauff’s ‘Unmatched’ Movement
Navratilova didn’t stop at the backhand, lauding Gauff’s overall game: “Her movement is better than anybody else. She can always depend on that.” Gauff’s court coverage—covering 3.2 km per match, the WTA’s highest—pairs with her backhand for defensive dominance, much like Djokovic’s retrieval skills. “She’s one of those people that can change the world for the better,” Navratilova added, praising Gauff’s activism (Black Lives Matter support) alongside her tennis.
Gauff’s 2025: 41-12 record, Australian Open title, Wuhan win (£446k), and WTA Finals qualification (defending 2024 champion). As Riyadh nears (November 2-9), her Djokovic-inspired backhand and serve could net another title.
| Aspect | Gauff vs. Djokovic Comparison |
|——–|——————————-|
| **Backhand** | Gauff’s topspin (2,800 RPM) edges Djokovic’s flat power (2,500 RPM); “money” reliability. |
| **Serve Evolution** | Gauff fixing double faults like Djokovic’s 2019 tweaks; 68% first-serve points won. |
| **Movement** | Gauff’s 3.2 km/match coverage rivals Djokovic’s retrieval mastery. |
#### Reactions: “Gauff’s the Next Djoker”
Social media under #GauffDjokovic: “Backhand better than Nole? Navratilova’s spot on—Coco’s unstoppable!” (200k likes). Świątek: “Respect—Coco’s backhand is lethal.” As Riyadh looms, Gauff’s “Djokovic-like” edge isn’t hype—it’s her era. The American’s primed; the Finals await.
