Gauff Battles Old Habits in First-Round US Open Victory

Coco Gauff secured a hard-fought victory in the first round of the U.S. Open on September 5, 2023, overcoming a mental struggle to trust her revamped serve. The American third seed faced off against unseeded Australian Ajla Tomljanovic at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, ultimately winning the match 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5.

Gauff, the reigning U.S. Open champion, made her way to New York after parting ways with coach Matt Daly. She has since teamed up with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan to address persistent issues with her serve. The transition was evident as she began the match with a shaky performance, dropping her opening service game and struggling with errors. Despite the rocky start, Gauff regained her composure and secured the win after a tense third set.

Reflecting on her performance, Gauff acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to her new serving technique. “The practice week was tough because I was spending a lot of time on court literally serving until, like, my shoulder was hurting,” she explained to reporters after the match. “I feel like it’s in the right direction, and I think for me it’s trying not to go back to old habits in those tighter moments.”

The match exemplified Gauff’s ongoing battle with her serve, particularly in crucial moments. She noted that the third set was indicative of the internal struggle she faced. “Honestly, that third set was the definition of that. That game where I served it at 5-4, that was definitely like an old habit,” she described. “The next game was a lot better.”

Gauff’s recent performance has raised concerns, especially after inconsistent results following her French Open triumph in June 2023. Early exits at Wimbledon and recent tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati contributed to her ranking drop from second to third in the world. “I think the more I get confident, the more I can go for it,” she added, emphasizing her need for practice to enhance her serving speed.

Looking ahead, Gauff is set to face Donna Vekic, the Olympic silver medalist from Paris, in the second round. As she continues to navigate her evolving game, fans will be eager to see how Gauff applies her hard-earned lessons on the court.

Her victory in this initial round not only advances her in the tournament but also signifies a step forward in her journey to refine her skills and regain her confidence as a top competitor.