Coco Gauff’s serve has been widely criticized.
The shot became such an issue that Gauff hired Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics expert, to fix her serve on the eve of the 2025 US Open.
Improvements have been made, but there is still work to be done, as evidenced by Gauff’s 24 double faults in three matches at the United Cup.
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However, not everyone agrees that Gauff’s serve is that big of a problem.
Appearing as a guest on the latest episode of the ‘Love All‘ podcast, Ons Jabeur shared her thoughts.
Ons Jabeur says Coco Gauff is one of the ‘best servers’ on the WTA Tour
The Tunisian star was full of praise for Gauff, brushing off claims that her serve and forehand are problem shots.
“She already won two Grand Slams, and a lot of [WTA] 1000s, she’s been playing good, she’s been at a great level with the same technique,” said Jabeur.
Coco Gauff’s ‘big’ titles
- 2023 US Open (Grand Slam)
- 2025 French Open (Grand Slam)
- 2023 Cincinnati Open (WTA 1000)
- 2024 China Open (WTA 1000)
- 2025 Wuhan Open (WTA 1000)
“I feel like now, it’s a bit late to change.
“I think when you focus on something a lot, it becomes too much.
“She’s one of the best servers on tour, so I think she should trust her serve more.”
Jabeur believes Gauff is one of the best servers on tour, but do the stats back that up?
Simply put. No, they don’t.
The only serving statistic Gauff led in 2025 was ‘Double faults’, which is nothing to brag about.
Coco Gauff’s serving stats in 2025
- Aces – 188 (16th on WTA Tour)
- Double faults – 431 (1st on WTA Tour)
- 1st Serve % – 61.5% (184th on WTA Tour)
- 1st Serve points won % – 68.2% (29th on WTA Tour)
- 2nd Serve % – 43% (179th on WTA Tour)
- Service points won % – 58.5% (44th on WTA Tour)
- Break points saved % – 52.8% (161st on WTA Tour)
- Service games won % – 68.1% (65th on WTA Tour)
Ignoring those numbers, Jabeur doubled down on her point and even (half-jokingly) offered her services to the world number four.
“I feel like she really has an unbelievable forehand and serve,” she said.
“The two things that most people are criticizing… If it weren’t for these two shots, she would never have won a Grand Slam.
Where will Coco Gauff be ranked at the end of the 2026 season?
“It’s her game; she just needs to adapt it to become better.
“She did it before, so I’m sure she can do it again.
“I’m available if she wants to hire me!”
Jabeur is clearly a big fan of Gauff’s game and has witnessed it firsthand during their eight WTA Tour meetings.
Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2024 Berlin Open – QF | Coco Gauff | Ons Jabeur | 7-6 (RET) |
| 2024 French Open – QF | Coco Gauff | Ons Jabeur | 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 |
| 2023 WTA Finals – RR | Coco Gauff | Ons Jabeur | 6-0, 6-1 |
| 2022 Berlin Open – SF | Ons Jabeur | Coco Gauff | 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2021 French Open – 4R | Coco Gauff | Ons Jabeur | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2021 Charleston Open – QF | Ons Jabeur | Coco Gauff | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2020 Italian Open – | Coco Gauff | Ons Jabeur | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2020 Lexington Open – QF | Coco Gauff | Ons Jabeur | 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 |
“Sometimes I say she’s an octopus, she gets every ball, she’s always there, she doesn’t give up,” she said.
“Big serve, sometimes it’s a bit annoying when someone is serving well.
“She can go anywhere, to get any ball.”
According to Jabeur, Gauff doesn’t have much to worry about, which, if that is the case, would surely make the discourse around her serve frustrating to listen to…
Kim Clijsters thinks serve talk could be a ‘confidence-killer’ for Coco Gauff
‘Love All’ host Kim Clijsters was also keen to weigh in on the debate.
“That’s the hard part, too, because there are so many people who keep talking about it,” she said.
Who is your favorite player on the WTA Tour right now?
“Like, ‘Oh, the forehand, the serve…’. But as you said, she’s won two Slams, you’re picking it apart, really dissecting little things.
“After a while, also for her, that’s got to become frustrating and almost a confidence killer, to constantly hear it over and over again.”
Looking to silence her doubters, Gauff will return to United Cup action on Saturday, January 10, for Team USA’s semifinal match.
Team USA will play either Poland or Australia in the semifinals (Poland vs Australia QF – Friday, January 9).
Therefore, Gauff will take on Iga Swiatek or Maya Joint in her next singles match.
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