Rick Macci, Serena Williams’ childhood coach, once commented after Coco Gauff’s US Open victory that labeling her “the next Serena” was a significant overstatement. His words seem to have been prophetic. While Gauff ended her 2024 season with an impressive title win at the WTA Finals, her overall performance for the year was underwhelming. She faced critical losses in several key matches, failing to sustain the consistency expected at the highest level.
In contrast, her rival and current World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka had a stellar year, cementing her place as the most dominant player on the WTA Tour. Sabalenka, who is now a two-time Grand Slam champion, won the Australian Open in January and the US Open in September, along with titles at the Cincinnati Masters and Wuhan Open. She also reached the finals of the Madrid and Italian Opens. Earlier this week, Sabalenka was named WTA Player of the Year, a testament to her remarkable achievements throughout the season.
A significant factor behind Sabalenka’s success has been her improved serving skills. Shane Liyanage, founder of Data Driven Sports Analytics and a key member of Sabalenka’s team, explained that her serving motion had undergone substantial refinement. According to Liyanage, data revealed that Sabalenka’s serves were previously suboptimal, particularly under pressure, with issues such as inconsistent ball toss and inefficient swing mechanics. These weaknesses were addressed with the help of her biomechanics coach, who worked with Sabalenka to correct her technique and enhance her understanding of her serve. The results were evident, as Sabalenka became a more formidable opponent this season.
Liyanage emphasized that this transformation marked a turning point for Sabalenka. He recalled how, in previous seasons, she often made numerous double faults—even as many as 20 in a match—but managed to win due to her overall gameplay. This year, however, she significantly reduced such errors while elevating other aspects of her game, which he described as a “blessing.”
Coco Gauff, on the other hand, struggled with her serving woes throughout the year. This was particularly evident during her semifinal match against Sabalenka at the Wuhan Open in October. Despite a strong start, Gauff’s 21 double faults in the match proved costly, allowing Sabalenka to come from behind and win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. The 19-year-old American set an unfortunate career record for the most double faults in a singles match. Sabalenka later admitted she capitalized on Gauff’s serving inconsistencies, putting her under pressure to exacerbate her errors. Despite sympathizing with Gauff’s struggles, Sabalenka expressed confidence in her potential, stating that if Gauff overcomes her serve issues, she could become “one of the greatest.”
Rick Macci also weighed in on Gauff’s technical problems, pointing out that her current serving stance prevents her from fully utilizing her body mechanics. He explained that her weight distribution and foot positioning are not optimal, leading to inefficiencies in her motion. Macci suggested a complete overhaul of Gauff’s serve, recommending a transition from her pinpoint stance to a pure platform stance for better stability and control.
While Sabalenka’s dominance highlights her technical improvements and strategic growth, Gauff’s struggles serve as a reminder of the challenges young players face at the elite level. For Gauff to rival Sabalenka’s level of success, addressing her serve will be paramount.