Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport
A year before Coco Gauff he won his first medal at the US Open, and he was already going places.
The 20-year-old Gauff received his first Class E driver’s license back in 2022.
More: Gauff Jumps Into Wimbledon Third Round
These days, Gauff dreams of delivering gas.
World No. 2 Gauff crushed the Grand Slam at the age of 19 Anca Todoni 6-2, 6-1, into the second round of Wimbledon in just 66 minutes.
Gauff didn’t lose in today’s win and has given up just six hits in the two-game winning streak.
Afterwards, Gauff was asked if he was testing the radar gun after serving as the former world No. 1 Serena Williams he did.
Not only does the Gauff scan not use speed as a go-to gauge, it shares the revelation it offers.
Gauff is a speedy mess with an assist goal: Crank a 130 mph serve in the game.
“I check the speed of the serve sometimes in the game because I’m trying to make sure I’m getting it,” said Gauff. “Sometimes you’re unconscious when you’re in a tight spot, maybe you’re just trying to bring in a service. There are times when I go to look.
“If I miss, even if I miss and the serve is like 119 or 118 and up, I’m like okay, that’s good. I hate to miss if it’s slow. I want to get to 130. I think the fastest I’ve gotten is 128. Do I have u -130 for me? I don’t know. Maybe if I was a little taller. Now, if it comes in, I don’t know.
If that triple-digit mph heat sounds ambitious—Georgina García Pérez owns the fastest women’s record at 136.7 mph—consider that today Gauff’s fastest delivery was 122 mph and her average first-run speed was 112 mph.
At the 2022 US Open, Gauff used a 128 mph serve—the seventh fastest woman recorded in the Open Era (remember the US Open is notorious for its radar gun speed)—along with a Hall of Famer and earthquake server. Andy Roddick, who has worked with Gauff to prepare him well and slow down his swing—he said during an interview with the Tennis Channel that he often hits mid-120 mph in practice.
Of course, the best servers show us that we give percentages, second power and working within breakpoint pressure are all important components in developing a powerful server.
Today, Gauff only served 43 percent in the match and was less than 40 percent early in the first set. While he made the first and second serve work well, he wonders if a more experienced and dangerous opponent could challenge his second serve over the young Todoni.
Reigning US Open champion Gauff is the only woman to reach at least the semifinals of the last three consecutive Grand Slams.
Balancing his first serve percentage with his desire to deliver high-octane gas and finish points will be key for Gauff to make a deep run at The Championships.
“I take every minute seriously, every semi-final, every quarterfinal. I’m not going in thinking I’m going to have a lot more, just relax, because you never know, nothing is promised,” said Gauff today. “I think that I feel like, no matter what happens in my career, I will always have my name.
“I obviously want more than just one win. I think starting one gives you a taste and gives you the belief that you can do it again. ”
