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The change Coco Gauff should make in 2026 to really help fix her serve could be obvious

Photo by STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Coco Gauff’s serving struggles cost her time and time again in 2025.

They became so problematic that Gauff hired serving expert Gavin MacMillan as her new coach on the eve of the US Open.

Things began to improve, with Gauff winning the Wuhan Open with MacMillan in her corner, although the problems resurfaced in Riyadh, at the WTA Finals.

Coco Gauff kissing the Wuhan Open title in 2025
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

Plenty of suggestions have been thrown around as to how Gauff can address the issue, although the answer might not be that complicated after all.

A return to the doubles court may do Gauff a world of good…

Why Coco Gauff should play more doubles in 2026

Gauff is an accomplished doubles player and was ranked number one in the world in the discipline back in 2022.

She won 10 titles in total, many of which were alongside her fellow American, Jessica Pegula.

Coco Gauff’s WTA doubles titles

TitlePartnerOpponentsScore
2019 Washington OpenCaty McNallyMaria Sanchez/Fanny Stollar6-2, 6-2
2019 Luxembourg OpenCaty McNallyKailtyn Christian/Alexa Guarachi6-2, 6-2
2021 Emilia-Romagna OpenCaty McNallyDarija Jurak/Andreja Klepac6-3. 6-2
2022 Qatar OpenJessica PegulaVeronika Kudermetova/Elise Mertens3-6, 7-5 [10-5]
2022 Canadian OpenJessica PegulaNicole Melichar-Martinez/Ellen Perez6-4, 6-7 [10-5]
2022 Southern California OpenJessica PegulaGabriela Dabrowski/Giuliana Olmos1-6, 7-5 [10-4]
2023 Qatar Ladies OpenJessica PegulaLyudmyla Kichenok/Jelena Ostapenko6-4, 2-6 [10-7]
2023 Miami OpenJessica PegulaLeylah Fernandez/Taylor Townsend7-6, 6-2
2024 French OpenKaterina SiniakovaSara Errani/Jasmine Paolini7-6, 6-3
2025 Canadian OpenMcCartney KesslerTaylor Townsend/Zhang Shuai6-4, 1-6 [13-11]
Coco Gauff’s WTA doubles titles

Making a return to doubles in 2026, Gauff would have an opportunity to work on her serve in a competitive environment, under less scrutiny than in singles competition.

That’s not to say she should stop playing singles, of course, but playing both disciplines at a few more tournaments next year could pay dividends.

If there are new techniques or slight adjustments that MacMillan wants Gauff to test out, what better place to do it than on the doubles court?

Coco Gauff reacts during the 2025 WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia
Photo by STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The move would not only be good for Gauff but for doubles as well.

If Gauff were to start playing doubles more regularly, viewership for those events would surely rise, which would benefit everyone involved.

Coco Gauff 2025 Season Quiz

In 2025, Gauff only played three doubles events (four, including the United Cup).

Only time will tell if she will choose to play a busier schedule in 2026, but it will certainly be worth looking out for.

Will Coco Gauff win a Grand Slam in 2026?

Gauff won her second Grand Slam title this year, adding her name to the list of multiple major champions on the WTA Tour.

Most Grand Slams among ‘active’ WTA players

RankNameCountryGrand Slams
1Venus WilliamsUSA7
2Iga SwiatekPoland6
T-3Aryna SabalenkaBelarus4
T-3Naomi OsakaJapan4
T-5Coco GauffUSA2
T-5Barbora KrejcikovaCzechia2
T-5Victoria AzarenkaBelarus2
Multiple Grand Slam winners among ‘active’ WTA players

Looking to take fifth place for herself and move clear of Barbora Krejcikova and Victoria Azarenka, Gauff will want to leave her mark in Melbourne.

Gauff has yet to reach the final of the Australian Open, but came close back in 2024, when she lost a tightly contested semifinal to Aryna Sabalenka.

Unfortunately for Gauff, if she is to win the 2026 Australian Open, she’ll likely have to face Sabalenka again.

Who will win the 2026 Australian Open?

The Belarusian has been a class above on Rod Laver Arena over the past couple of years, and only lost this year’s final in a three-set thriller to Gauff’s fellow American, Madison Keys.

Gauff will be up against it in Melbourne, but she may fare better in Paris, where she emerged victorious in 2025.

Again, the likes of Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek will be dangerous, but if Gauff can find her best tennis, on a surface where the serve is less of a factor, then don’t bet against her winning her third major title at the 2026 French Open.

Should she miss out on titles at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, the 21-year-old will surely have to set her sights on the US Open, having struggled at Wimbledon throughout her career.

It remains to be seen if Gauff will win a Grand Slam next year, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action when she begins her Australian Open campaign on Sunday, January 18.