"I was absolutely blown away" says Andy Roddick after working with Coco Gauff on her serve, says he would show up anytime she asks

Friday, 02 February 2024 at 22:30

Former world No. 1, Andy Roddick, shared insights into his collaboration with Coco Gauff to revamp her service ahead of the 2024 Australian Open. The renowned American tennis star, celebrated as one of the best servers in the sport's history, joined Gauff during the off-season, praising her exceptional work ethic.

Gauff, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, displayed a commendable performance at the Australian Open, reaching the semifinals but falling to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. One of the focal points for the 19-year-old has been her first serve, an aspect that showed improvement last year under the guidance of Brad Gilbert, along with advancements in her forehand during the US hardcourt swing.

Roddick surprised by Coco Gauff's work ethic

As the 2023 season concluded, they sought the advice of Roddick, who boasted a remarkable 90% success rate in winning his service games throughout his career, accompanied by an impressive tally of over 9000 aces. The former world No. 1 emphasized on his podcast that Gauff exhibits a particularly rapid learning curve.

"With Coco, 15 minutes in she understood the concept. The good ones (first serves) were 124, pretty much on command. The second serve was consistent, had more height," Andy Roddick said. "She has the tools now, albeit there's going to be a learning curve. But credit to her, taking something new and walking it out a month later," he added.

"I think Coco will be a dominant server, I was blown away by the two or three days we spent together, the feedback she's able to give, what she's able to take in, and the professional manner.”

“There are people who don't work as hard... they're not a household name like Coco Gauff is. For someone who hasn't turned 20, I was absolutely blown away. I would show up for her anytime she asks, I was so impressed with her.”

Roddick's solutions

At 41 years old, the former tennis star Andy Roddick highlighted that Coco Gauff has all the tools to significantly enhance her service. He pointed out that Gauff's main challenge lies in playing too close to the edge, and Roddick has been instrumental in assisting her to address this aspect.

"My version is, her toss was very inconsistent, so on good days, you really wouldn't notice anything. She can have good serving days, but she had never really thought about her toss, right?"

"So, it was like, arm-elbow position, folds at the end, and I said one thing can really make a dent in all of those issues. I go, 'You toss the ball from kinda your waist, you kind of have this flip-motion up', which creates spin and you're having to chase it. So, when it's working, it's fine. When it's bad, it's really bad.”

“In the World Tour Finals last year, I think it was 25 double faults in one match. I said, 'Listen, we have to create a little bit more margin'. We have to create something that's bankable and it's going to create more speed, the ball's gonna turn a bit more. And I said, 'All you gotta do is just release it from your fingertips and not your palm, and it needs to be released at shoulder height,” Roddick concluded.

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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