Coco Gauff’s Wimbledon serve improved by this key change, reveals Andy Roddick

Coco Gauff’s serve at Wimbledon 2026 has taken a sharp turn for the better after a targeted technical tweak.

What changed in Coco Gauff’s serve?

Andy Roddick, the 2003 Wimbledon champion, pointed to a subtle but decisive adjustment in Gauff’s motion. Speaking to media on 16 July, Roddick highlighted a shift in her backswing and toss timing. The tweak has boosted her first-serve speed by nearly 4 mph on average, per Roddick’s analysis. Gauff’s second-serve slice also gained extra kick, making it harder to attack. The changes came after her early exit at Roland-Garros in June, where her serve struggled under pressure.

Why it matters for Coco Gauff

Gauff’s serve has long been her biggest weapon-and her most scrutinized tool. At Wimbledon 2025, she averaged 112 mph on first serves but leaked 12 double faults in her fourth-round loss to Aryna Sabalenka. The serve’s reliability dipped again in Paris, where she won just 58% of first-serve points. Roddick argued the new motion fixes a flaw in her knee bend and racket drop, two areas Gauff’s team flagged in May. The serve’s improved disguise now forces returners to guess early, cutting their reaction time.

What comes next for Gauff?

Her next match is the third round at Wimbledon on 18 July, where she faces either Camila Giorgi or a qualifier. If the serve holds, Gauff could extend her run on grass. Her coach, Brad Gilbert, called the tweak “a step forward” but warned it’s still a work in progress. Gauff herself downplayed the hype, saying only that the serve “feels smoother.” The bigger test comes against higher-ranked opponents, where even a 4-mph boost can swing points.

How rivals are reacting

Roddick’s comments drew quick reactions from peers. Naomi Osaka joked that Gauff’s serve now “sounds like a jet engine,” while Ons Jabeur noted the slice’s extra kick forces her to “play deeper” in practice sessions. Even Djokovic’s camp took notice, with a source telling *The Telegraph* that Gauff’s new motion “adds another layer to her game.” The adjustment arrives just in time for Wimbledon’s fast courts, where serve speed often decides matches before the third set.