Coco Gauff is aiming for a turnaround after a bitter-sweet run this season. The American sensation started the year decently, reaching the last four of the Australian Open and the French Open. However, it wasn’t long before issues surrounding her second serve started to take a toll on her game, as she transitioned to the grasscourt and then to the American hardcourt swing. She has now switched gears; hiring the technique correction specialist Matt Daly after parting ways with ex-coach Brad Gilbert. And, her compatriot believes this might improve her chances on the tour.

After Wimbledon, Gauff failed to navigate past the Round of 16 in five successive tournaments. The pivotal point of concern was her second serve. Notably, she dished out 38 double faults in the four matches she contested at the US Open. Although she hoped to rectify such concerns under the tutelage of Daly – earning modest success while doing so – it wasn’t enough, as she committed 42 DFs en route to lifting the China Open title.

Fast forward to the final event on the calendar, the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Gauff is up against the top eight in-form players. Before the start of her campaign against former doubles partner and US Open finalist Jessica Pegula, Andy Roddick hopped on the ‘Tennis Channel Live Podcast‘ to access the young talent’s current standing. During the sitdown, the former World No. 1 noted that Gauff “has a little bit more energy in the camp because of the switch from Gilbert, there is something kind of buzzy about it.” Roddick’s assessment didn’t turn out wrong.

Gauff outclassed Pegula in straight sets at the season-ending championship to win 6-3 6-2 in just 75 minutes. Having often struggled against Pegula and having learned from her past experiences, Gauff expressed her desire to lock horns with her former doubles partner in the summit clash again. “She’s tough for me to play but I’m happy to get through today. I root for her so hopefully we’ll play again in the final”. Before her clash against Pegula though, Gauff also opened up about challenges with her serve during the season.

Coco Gauff stresses ‘long-term’ goals in Riyadh

Let’s be real, it’s next to impossible and worth noting, extremely taxing, to correct problematic techniques during the season. However,  American superstar Coco Gauff never shied from a daunting task as such. Alongside her new coach, Matt Daly, she is working to achieve a less error-prone serve grip. Consequently, the former World No. 1 was asked how difficult of a journey it has been during a presser in Riyadh.

She said, “You kind of have to correct it, and you’re playing matches. Everything just feels fresh and new. It is difficult, but you got to think of the long-term and the long run. I feel like this is the right decision. When it was going well, it was going well. Yeah, I think I just need more time with it. I spent two weeks at home working on it. Yeah, we’ll see how it goes here.”

Next up, the American will have the floor to showcase her athletic prowess and improved game-style technique on Tuesday, November 5, as she gears up to square off against second seed Iga Swiatek.