Coco Gauff’s Journey to Tennis Excellence

NEW YORK — Although Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are friends and doubles partners, Gauff’s prowess on the court poses a significant challenge for Pegula this summer.

Gauff’s impressive performance at major tournaments highlights her dominance. At Wimbledon, Gauff overturned a set deficit against Pegula in the quarterfinals. She repeated her success at the Cincinnati Open final, rapidly securing a 5-0 lead in 25 minutes before clinching the win in straight sets.

In their last five encounters, Gauff has triumphed four times, holding a 5-5 record overall against Pegula. Last year at the U.S. Open, Gauff undertook the task of reshaping her serve and forehand. Practicing under immense pressure even during breaks, she showcased both vulnerability and determination.

A year on, all signs indicate a transformed Gauff will compete against Turkey’s Zeynep Sönmez at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Pegula acknowledges Gauff’s improved tactics, noting, “She’s moving very well… Plus serving well, makes her really good.”

She’s really good, Pegula said in a news conference ahead of the U.S. Open, reflecting on Gauff’s current form.

Gauff has played 10 matches since Wimbledon, primarily on hard courts, losing only two matches that extended to three sets. Her recent form has been marked by efficiency, unlike her previous tournaments where many matches went into three sets.

The 2023 U.S. Open champion, currently ranked fourth globally, has reached No. 2 in the past, becoming both a star in tennis and the highest-paid female athlete. Her Cincinnati Open final against Pegula set a record as the most-watched women’s tour match on the Tennis Channel.

The U.S. Open holds particular significance for Gauff. It’s a tournament marked by substantial attention from fans and sponsors, symbolizing her spotlight moment. The event presents pressures, but with her improved mechanics, Gauff appears ready for the challenge.

During her pre-U.S. Open news conference, Gauff expressed confidence in her servicing skills after reviewing her Cincinnati performance, stating, “It just feels good to come into a tournament feeling confident.”

Comparative statistics reveal Gauff’s progress. In 2026, her average of four double faults per match contrasts with the nine faults in 2025. Her first-serve win percentage increased to 75 percent from 67 percent, with second-serve points growing from 37 percent to 52 percent.

Reflecting on previous struggles, Gauff declared a resolve to never lose another match due to double faults, a lesson learned after her loss to Emma Navarro. Rather than an overhaul, tweaks spearheaded by coach Matt Daly refined her serve and forehand techniques.

The journey to eliminate persistent errors was challenging. Last year, Gauff faced a staggering 431 double faults, peaking at 23 in one Canadian Open match, which she won regardless.

This August, Gauff secured biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan to aid in refining her techniques. Initial sessions were so demanding that she persevered through rain during practice, driven to rectify flaws.

Despite sobbing during interviews, Gauff believed in the training’s transformative power. The subsequent sessions in Florida and China honed her capabilities better, alleviating pressure and refining her approach.

MacMillan imparted that strong technique could overcome challenges like the yips. His successes with Aryna Sabalenka increased expectations for Gauff.

While beliefs weigh on Gauff, particularly in proving MacMillan’s capability, her persistent pursuit paid off. She realized the strength of her first serve and began implementing it alongside her forehand.

“Last year, I literally was like, ‘I hope I make it in,’” Gauff recalled, acknowledging her previous uncertainty.

As Gauff enhances her serving techniques, general performance improvements have emerged. With most players maxing their double faults, Gauff continues progressing in turning weaknesses into strengths.

Presently, with a reduced double-fault average and marked serving advancements, Gauff ranks 16th in first-serve points win and excels in returning serve.

Fellow player Iga Świątek and Gauff, remarkable movers, boast noteworthy winning percentages on their opponents’ first serves. Their dexterity and game-turning abilities spotlight their superiority on tour.

Gauff’s performance after facing Pegula includes favorable court dynamics like her net game and serves to fend off pressure.

Pegula concurs with this projection, recognizing Gauff’s formidable presence. “The way that she’s able to defend out of the corners is better than anybody else,” Pegula said. She also acknowledged Gauff’s anticipation to move forward and capitalize on every opportunity, adding, “… when she’s doing that and is able to serve well… it becomes very difficult.”