'So Disappointed In Myself': Gauff Addresses Massive Double Fault Struggles

Friday, 01 August 2025 at 11:24

byErik Virostko

Coco Gauff has been setting negative records at this year's Canadian Open, massively struggling with double faults.

Gauff is one of the better servers on the WTA Tour when it comes to her first serve. This year, she has hit 116 aces, winning over 70% of points after her first serve. On the other hand, she is one of the worst, if not the worst, players on the second serve.

The 21-year-old wins less than 43% of rallies after her second serve, and she leads the Tour in double faults hit. In 43 matches played, Gauff has hit 287 double faults, which is almost 100 more than second-place Amanda Anisimova.

Her struggles this year have been particularly visible at WTA 1000 tournaments. She made a total of 42 double faults in Rome, 38 in Indian Wells, and already 37 in Montreal, where she will play at least one more match.

In Rome, she hit those 42 double faults in six matches, and in Indian Wells, it took her three matches. In Canada, Gauff hit 37 double faults in only two matches, including a 23-double fault first match.

In her second match against Veronika Kudermetova, the American hit another 14 double faults, mostly at the end of the first and start of the second set. Gauff was cruising to a first-set win, leading 4-1, when she started struggling with her serve and ultimately lost the set 4-6.

However, the two-time Grand Slam champion still managed to win the match in three sets, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. But naturally, her double faults were a talking point after the match.

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She was asked about making so many double faults, but the American focused on the positives, saying it's a good thing she can still win matches despite struggling so much on her serve.

"There are positives and there are negatives. Obviously, I am so disappointed in myself when it comes to that part of the game, just because I didn't play D.C. to work on that, and made changes to that, and doing well in practice, and serving really well in practice."

"So, I just would like for it to transfer to the match. It does give positives that, okay, I'm winning these matches, having literally like one part of my game on a crutch. So it's like if I can stand on both feet, then I can only imagine that it would be a lot more straightforward and a lot more easier for me."

Gauff was also asked whether it worries her that no one has hit more double faults than she has this year. She admitted that she doesn't want to lead that particular stat, but also knows she likely won't ever be a player who doesn't hit any double faults.

"I don't want to lead that stat, and I want to do better. I know I probably won't be ever double fault-free, but if I could get that to 2%, 3%, it would make a big difference in just making these matches a lot easier."

"The fact that I'm winning matches and finding ways to win with that is definitely a positive. But I'm a tough critic on myself. I know I can do better, and I know I should do better. It will get better. It's just a matter of time."

Gauff will have a chance to make some improvements in her fourth-round match against Victoria Mboko. The young Canadian will have the support of the home crowd, making things even more challenging for the top-seeded Gauff.