Elena Dementieva has a different view on what Coco Gauff should focus on addressing in her game as the 2004 French Open and US Open finalist thinks the American should have prioritized her forehand instead of serve.
Throughout the clay season, Gauff kept her double-fault number in check and that resulted in her winning her second Grand Slam at the French Open. But then, the American's serving woes resurfaced during the grass and North American hard-court swings. And after a couple of rough displays - in which she mightily struggled with her serve and blasted double faults - the 21-year-old fired coach Matt Daly and hired biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan.
Truth be told, there have been calls on Gauff to hire a biomechanics coach since 2023. And in August, she finally did it. Needless to say, the American's decision was widely praised.
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However, Dementieva - whose serve also wasn't the greatest despite her success - suggests Gauff would have benefited from in the long run if she prioritized improving her forehand.
Dementieva: Gauff wins Grand Slams with this serve... She'd benefit from working on her forehand
Im surprised she chose a serving specialist because I think she would benefit from working on her forehand. Shes obviously very well developed physically. For now, shes saving herself thanks to her good physical condition, but there are some important areas to improve," former world No. 3 Dementieva said on Hardcourt.
"Im surprised because she says she makes a lot of double faults, but it doesnt really show in her game. She wins Grand Slams with them [double faults], and when she does, is it a psychological or physical problem? I cant say I associate it with technique.
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Gauff's double fault count in 2025 is already over 350 - which makes her by far the player with the most double faults on the WTA Tour this season.
After hiring biomechanics expert MacMillan, Gauff said her main priority for the rest of 2025 would be on improvement and not the results.
