Coco Gauff sets negative record with crazy number of double faults in 2025

Coco Gauff's success has been achieved despite continued severe issues with her second serve. A startling statistic shows the American's struggles with that shot.

On Sunday, Coco Gauff won her third WTA 1000 title at the 2025 Wuhan Open. She overcame her compatriot and former doubles partner Jessica Pegula in the final, and did not drop a tournament during her title run.

That is the fan favorite's second-best achievement so far in 2025. In June, the world No. 3 won her maiden French Open title at Roland Garros after a superb comeback from losing the first set against Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

Gauff's success in the last few seasons while enduring repeated issues on second serve has been remarkable. In 2024, she hit over 400 double faults but still managed to win the WTA Finals and China Open.

2025 has not proven to be any easier. At the Wuhan Open, Gauff became the first player in open-era history to hit more than 400 double faults in consecutive seasons. Her tally stands at 405 ahead of next month's WTA Finals.

That problem is why Gauff made the bold decision to part from Matt Daly, with whom she won the China Open, the WTA Finals, and the 2025 French Open, and work with Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics coach.

Aryna Sabalenka hired MacMillian when she had similar second-serve issues earlier in her career. He proved crucial in the Belarusian's significant improvement in that area, playing a massive role in her ascent to the No. 1 ranking.

Gauff began working with MacMillan a few days before the 2025 US Open. Understandably, it was hard for the biomechanics coach to have an impact in that short period, and she struggled at Flushing Meadows before exiting in the fourth round to Naomi Osaka.

However, there were definite improvements during the Asian swing. Despite heavily losing in the 2025 China Open semifinal to Amanda Anisimova, Gauff was positive about her serving performance in Beijing.

Although her serve remained far from perfect in Wuhan, it was significantly better than at the US Open. MacMillan's help seems to be working, and further training with him before the WTA Finals might make an even more significant difference.

Gauff's status as one of the best WTA players worldwide despite possessing a vulnerable second serve is remarkable. That shows how formidable the rest of her game, especially the movement, backhand, and return, are.

It should be noted that how consistently Gauff wins matches at tournaments makes the double-fault tally worse. Playing more often because of her success increases the probability of hitting double faults.

However, it remains a significant issue. Gauff being a multiple-time Grand Slam champion and WTA Finals winner at 21 years old despite that overwhelming problem means she could dominate women's tennis when she resolves it.

The American No. 1's forehand, while not as troublesome, is also prone to breaking down. If Gauff significantly improves that shot and her second serve, it might be hard for anyone to stop her.