"Mental Rather Than Technical": Greg Rusedski Weighs In on Coco Gauff’s Ongoing Service Struggles in Miami

Greg Rusedski claims Coco Gauff’s 11 double faults in Miami are a mental hurdle. Read more about her comeback win and technical struggles.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 6:06 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

A Battle of Resilience in Florida

Coco Gauff’s path to the third round in Miami was anything but straightforward. Facing Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Gauff found herself a set and a break down in the decider before her trademark defensive skills and mental toughness allowed her to claw back for a victory. The win was particularly significant for Gauff, as it avenged a loss to the same opponent in Qatar last month. Despite the successful result, Gauff admitted she struggled to adjust to Cocciaretto’s early ball-taking style, which left her with little reaction time in the opening stages of the match.

Technical Glitches and Crowd Gasps

While Gauff’s competitive spirit remained intact, her service game drew audible concern from the spectators at the Hard Rock Stadium. One second serve famously struck the top of her racket frame, nearly landing in the stands, while others fell significantly short of the net. Beyond the 11 double faults, observers noted that her recently remodeled forehand appeared disjointed at times. These struggles follow a difficult week in Indian Wells where a left arm injury forced her to retire mid-match against Alex Eala.

Rusedski’s Psychological Assessment

Tennis analyst Greg Rusedski provided a candid assessment of the situation on his Off Court podcast. Rusedski, known as one of the premier servers of the 1990s, argued that the constant public discourse regarding Gauff’s serve has caused the issue to "get into her psyche." He suggested that the fix is not a major technical overhaul but rather a shift in mindset. Rusedski pointed to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka as a blueprint, noting how Sabalenka overcame similar "yips" by taking personal responsibility for her serve under pressure rather than relying solely on coaching adjustments.