Once again, Coco Gauff made headlines by securing her place in the fourth round of Wimbledon, but it was her inconsistent serving that sparked discussions and raised doubts about her true ability to contend for the title. Despite defeating Claire Liu in an intense match that extended over three sets — 6-3, 6-7, and 6-2, in a Court One filled with anticipation — the young American confirmed that she continues to struggle with one of her greatest Achilles' heels: her serve, where she leads the unwanted statistic of double faults across the entire WTA.
Coco Gauff, currently ranked seventh in the world, faced compatriot Claire Liu, a qualifier who surprised by pushing the match to its limits. Despite experiencing difficulties, particularly with her serve, Gauff ultimately came out on top, but not without showing clear signs of concern. The American hired biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan last season to address this very issue, but the results continue to fall short of expectations, becoming one of the most discussed topics at any press conference she attends.
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The importance of this victory is tremendous not only for keeping Gauff alive in the most prestigious tournament on the circuit but also for putting her one step closer to overcoming the hurdle of the fourth round, where she has already fallen on three occasions at Wimbledon. The next match against Belinda Bencic could finally break the “spell” and open the doors to the quarter-finals, a feat that has eluded her in previous years and could be pivotal for her definitive establishment on the London grass. Furthermore, a triumph against the former semi-finalist at Wimbledon would reinforce Gauff's status as a serious contender for the trophy, at a time when women's tennis is seeking new protagonists.
Questioned about the nervousness felt and the fluctuating performance, Gauff did not shy away from the topic of her serve. In the press conference following the match, she was emphatic: “I mean, I don’t know. I feel like I played really well at certain moments and not so much at others. I think that’s tennis. I would definitely like to play a little better.” Gauff also highlighted the difficulties of adapting to the surface: “But I don’t know, I feel like it’s because this isn’t a surface I’m always comfortable on. I’m really trying to learn and understand what works for me. Today, I think I didn’t stay true to what was working and what gave me the advantage.”
The conversation quickly shifted to her serve, a recurring theme in recent seasons. Gauff responded candidly: “Then, the serve… well, today I was taking risks with my serve. I wasn’t able to hit as well as in the first match. I had several aces in the first match. I also faced an opponent who returned better. I couldn’t just hit hard at her body because she was picking it up really well. I think I can introduce more variety in my serve, no doubt. But, on the other hand, my serve also got me out of tricky games. It’s one of those days where I trust my serve, I’ve been serving well, I just maybe need to vary a bit more.” Gauff’s statements demonstrate maturity but also some frustration at not being able to translate the work done off the court into her performance on it.
The clash against Belinda Bencic promises to be a true test of Gauff's nerves and her ability to respond under pressure. Despite having won five of their seven previous encounters, including the most recent one in Miami this year, the grass of Wimbledon has been an unforgiving stage for the young star, who is seeking to finally break the cycle of fourth-round exits. A victory would not only pave the way for her best performance ever in London but would also boost her confidence in a tournament where serving, more than ever, could determine destinies.
In the coming hours, all eyes will be on Coco Gauff. Will she finally overcome the psychological and technical block regarding her serve? Or will the hallowed grass of Wimbledon once again be the scene of an early exit? One thing is certain: the tennis world will be watching this match closely, where every point could be crucial for Gauff's assertion as a potential champion of the most coveted Grand Slam on the planet.
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