Coco Gauff faces a tough first-round scare at the US Open 2025, unveiling her new serve. Explore the highlights of her remarkable match!
Introduction: Spotlight on the Serve
As the top-ranked American and No. 3 seed, Coco Gauff entered the 2025 US Open with the tennis world zeroed in on her serve. Despite triumphant campaigns at Flushing Meadows in 2023 and the French Open this June, recent struggles—most notably a surge of double faults—cast a shadow over her title defense. In response, Gauff made a high-profile coaching change, hiring Gavin McMillan, a biomechanics specialist famed for revamping Aryna Sabalenka’s delivery. With her new motion, the US Open opener became not just about advancement, but a vital test of whether her technical overhaul would hold up in prime time pressure.
Tomljanovic Brings the Challenge
Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic came to the court fearless and well-prepared to exploit Gauff’s weaknesses. From the outset, she pounced on Gauff’s second serves, hammering returns and probing the American’s less reliable forehand. Tomljanovic’s strategy centered on creating longer rallies and applying pressure with deep, aggressive shots—especially on Gauff’s serve games. Her approach triggered seven service breaks and kept the match see-sawing despite Gauff’s superior athleticism and crowd support.
The First Set: Mixed Signals for Gauff
Gauff opened with signs of promise—her serve more deliberate, her motion noticeably altered with a cleaner ball toss and an emphasis on spin and placement rather than sheer pace. While double faults emerged (10 by match end), many first serves landed effectively, allowing her to control points off the baseline. Even so, Tomljanovic’s aggression kept her honest. Gauff rallied from an early break, turned defense into offense, and stole the set, 6-4, using her athleticism and mental strength.
Second Set: Nerves, Errors, and a Tiebreak Twist
Confidence on serve wavered in the second set. Gauff, while up a break, could not sustain her edge. Serving for the match at 5-4, she double-faulted twice, her motion breaking down under pressure as old habits crept back. Tomljanovic capitalized, breaking back and forcing a tiebreak. There, the Australian dominated, taking it 7-2 and shifting the momentum to her side. It was a test not just of Gauff’s technical adjustments, but of her nerves under scrutiny in the world’s largest tennis stadium.
Third Set: Gritting Through the Storm
A marathon of willpower and endurance, the decider saw both players trade momentum and breaks. Tomljanovic continued targeting the second serve, while Gauff responded with defiant defense and urgent forays forward. At 5-5, Gauff summoned her best tennis, breaking Tomljanovic for a 6-5 lead. Facing one last challenge, Gauff produced a series of clutch first serves—opting for safer targets and margin rather than power—to finally close out the match 7-5, her victory sealed by a loud, cathartic celebration as relief swept over her team and the partisan crowd.
The Serve Rebuild: Risks and Early Results
Gauff’s service issues are no secret: she led the WTA in double faults entering New York and had won less than 43% of her second serve points for the season. Previously working with Matt Daly, Gauff made adjustments, but they proved insufficient, leading to her last-minute call to MacMillan. The biomechanist prioritized efficiency and right-to-left toss alignment over speed, working to break Gauff’s reliance on sheer power. Already, the serve had more spin and was slower (with some first serves registering 77-83 mph versus her past 120+ mph bombs). Though she recorded 10 double faults and was broken six times, her serve held up at crunch time.
Gauff herself admitted afterward, “I feel like it’s going in the right direction, but I have to not go back to old habits in tighter moments…[if] I could have worked with Gavin earlier, I would have…hopefully this time next year, I’ll be serving much better.â€
Technical and Mental Analysis: Progress and Gaps
Analyzing her performance, analysts noted:
The serve was more reliable at moderate speeds, especially when opting for spin rather than flat power.
Her ball toss showed improvement, drifting less than in past matches.
Under high pressure, Gauff’s motion slipped, leading to double faults.
Nevertheless, her ability to rebound—mentally and physically—remained elite.
Chris Evert, commenting for US TV, observed her “service motion appeared more ‘in unison’ and ‘balanced’ than before,†even if the “journey ahead in terms of confidence†remains significant.
The Rally Game: Athleticism and Defense Still Key
While Gauff’s serve drew the most scrutiny, her core strengths carried her through—a combination of dynamic sprints, defensive anticipation, and aggressive counter-punching. When unforced errors crept in, she compensated with bold returns and clutch baseline play, particularly in longer exchanges. Her willingness to adapt tactically—using kick serves and wider angles under pressure—helped her survive this first ordeal of Flushing Meadows 2025. See also: Venus Williams Rolls Back the Years, Muchova Holds Nerve at US Open
Tomljanovic’s Performance: Resilience and Respect
Ajla Tomljanovic, ranked outside the top seeds following injuries, once again showed why she is a dangerous Slam opponent. Her resilience, particularly in capitalizing on Gauff’s serve woes and seizing the second set, pushed the home favorite to the brink. Her targeting of Gauff’s forehand and tactical discipline off the return were highlights. Even in defeat, her performance earned applause for its tenacity.
The Road Ahead: Can Gauff’s Serve Withstand Stronger Opponents?
Though victorious, Gauff’s path forward remains uncertain. As the field narrows and the opposition stiffens, her serving under pressure will likely be tested even more. Rivals will target her second serve, seeking to exploit the nerves and new motion. Still, her history (36-12 on the year, two majors, sustained top-3 ranking) suggests she learns and adapts quickly—the hallmarks of a champion.
Gauff will need to continue trusting in her rebuild and relying on her baseline strengths as she seeks to become a back-to-back US Open champion. For now, her relief and elation at surviving this opening firefight were unmistakable.
Conclusion: Courage, Progress, and a Work in Progress
In a round-one epic nearly three hours long, Coco Gauff battled through technical transitions, mental fatigue, and a tireless opponent, passing her first test as defending champion at the 2025 US Open. Her new serve is a work in progress—sometimes unreliable, often gutsy, always under the microscope. But with grit and the support of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Gauff remains a fierce competitor and a looming threat for any challenger ahead.
