Tennis fans and experts have taken notice of Coco Gauff’s recent struggles on serve, and now, former World No. 9 Andrea Petkovic has offered a compelling explanation that could shed light on the young star’s dip in form.
The 20-year-old American, currently ranked World No. 3, has faced a surge in double faults and inconsistency, particularly in her recent performances at the Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments. Petkovic believes the issue may stem from a technical grip change, potentially introduced by Gauff’s new coach, Matt Daly, which may have triggered a regression to her earlier, less effective serving mechanics.
Technical Trouble on the Serve
Petkovic theorized that the grip adjustment might have backfired, with Gauff unconsciously reverting to old habits under match pressure. “It looks like she’s caught between two techniques,” Petkovic observed during a recent interview. Match statistics from Indian Wells and Miami showed a noticeable spike in her double fault count, underlining the severity of the issue.
Despite the growing concern, Gauff managed to defeat Maria Sakkari during Indian Wells, ending a short losing streak. However, back-to-back fourth-round exits have led to renewed focus on her service game.
Road to Redemption: Eyes on Stuttgart
Gauff is now gearing up for a fresh start at the Stuttgart Open, set to begin on April 14. The tournament field is expected to be stacked with elite talent, including Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, giving Gauff a golden opportunity to reset her form and confidence heading into the clay season.
With the tennis world watching closely, the question remains: Can Coco Gauff overcome her serving woes and bounce back stronger? Only time will tell as she continues her journey toward the top of the sport.
