Coco Gauff’s serve has been given a break from critics. However, former World No. 1 Justine Henin has identified the American’s forehand as a “catastrophic” flaw following her round of 16 defeat to four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka. The 21-year-old, who has claimed two Slam titles including her victory at Roland-Garros, suffered a straight-sets loss to Osaka on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday afternoon.
The match represented the third outing in Gauff’s partnership with biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who helped current No. 1 and defending US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka overhaul her serve in 2022.
However, the pair haven’t clocked enough practice time to deliver the comprehensive transformation Gauff is seeking, with some calling for her to take an immediate break from the sport.
Gauff tumbled 6-3, 6-2, and whilst her serve showed signs of improvement by restricting her double faults to just five, she was overwhelmed by Osaka, with her forehand proving a major weakness.
“Osaka did what she had to do by also playing with her experience,” the Belgian tennis legend told Eurosport, having won seven Grand Slam titles.
“She didn’t have to force her talent today either, showing solidity and being present.
“We felt from the start of the match that Coco Gauff had fallen back into her old ways, not especially in terms of her serve but in terms of her forehand, it was catastrophic.
“Obviously, this enormous pressure at the US Open is special for her, but I still think overall, over the whole season, and not so much on the results, what worries me is the lack of evolution in her game. At that age, you’re still progressing, you’re still developing.”
However, despite the disappointment, Gauff maintains the result has ignited optimism, and she remains keen to continue working alongside MacMillan.
Gauff still has years before reaching her expected prime and has already secured two Grand Slam victories.
“I think today when I walked on the court – and, I don’t know, I feel like I put so much pressure on myself at my age at 21, and I realize how much the girls on tour are being successful at 25, 26, at those ages,” an upbeat and optimistic Gauff disclosed during her press conference.
“For me it just gets me excited to realize if I have four more years of just working as hard as I am right now and actually doing the right things, like where my game could be.
“It has obviously improved in the last four years from four years ago to now. So I think if I can make that same jump of improvement, it’s a lot to be excited for the future for.”
AloJapan.com