Coco Gauff’s struggle with her serve has become a haunting refrain, and it reared its ugly head once again in a heartbreaking WTA Finals defeat to Jessica Pegula. But here's where it gets controversial: is this a temporary setback or a deeper issue that could derail her promising career? The American’s title defense in Riyadh kicked off with a grueling 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-2 loss to her compatriot in the group stages, leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.
Despite her relentless fight and undeniable talent, Gauff’s 17 double faults proved to be an insurmountable hurdle against an in-form Pegula. The fifth seed maintained her composure, saving her best tennis for the decisive moments of the match. And this is the part most people miss: Gauff’s serving woes aren’t just about technique—they’re a mental battle that’s playing out on the biggest stages. Her second serve, in particular, has been a recurring Achilles’ heel, even after she showed incredible mental toughness by forcing a final set with first-serve speeds topping 128mph.
Pegula, meanwhile, has been on a tear in the final months of 2025, riding the wave of her US Open semi-final and strong showings in Beijing and Wuhan. Her ability to stay aggressive, stepping inside the baseline and taking the ball early, was the difference-maker in this match. Now, she faces Aryna Sabalenka—her US Open conqueror—in a showdown that could define the Stefanie Graf group. Speaking of Sabalenka, the world No. 1 opened her campaign with a dominant 6-3, 6-1 win over Jasmine Paolini, marking her 60th victory of the season, a career milestone.
Here’s a thought-provoking question: Can Gauff bounce back from this defeat, or will her serving troubles continue to hold her back? She faces Paolini next in a must-win match, while Pegula’s confidence will be tested against Sabalenka. Meanwhile, in the men’s circuit, Jannik Sinner capped off a flawless week at the Paris Masters, defeating Félix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (4) to claim his first Masters 1000 title of the year. Sinner, who didn’t drop a single set, will reclaim the No. 1 ranking, setting up a thrilling showdown with Carlos Alcaraz in Turin for the year-end top spot. What’s your take? Is Gauff’s serve a fixable issue, or is it a deeper problem? Let’s debate in the comments!
