Andy Roddick reveals why he was ‘blown away’ from working with Coco Gauff

Andy Roddick has divulged he was “absolutely blown away” from working with Coco Gauff due to the American’s “professional manner” and how she gave feedback and took in information.

The former world No 1 explained how he helped Gauff work on her serve during the off-season and expects the WTA star to become “a dominant server.”
Gauff was defeated in straight sets by world No 2 and eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in Melbourne last month.

The 19-year-old was aiming to reach her second final in as many majors after beating Sabalenka in three sets in the 2023 US Open final in September to claim her maiden Grand Slam title.

The world No 3 won her first 10 matches of the 2024 season before her defeat to the 25-year-old Belarusian, having defended her title in Auckland to begin her year.

Speaking on his Served podcast, Roddick discussed the work he did on the practice court with Gauff and expressed his eagerness to help the 19-year-old again if required.

Coco Gauff on working with Andy Roddick on her (now more abbreviated) service motion during the off-season.

“I don’t think I could have gotten anybody else better to kind of help me with that.” pic.twitter.com/LpO6FLMrvg
With Coco, 15 minutes in she understood the concept. The good ones (first serves) were 124, pretty much on command. The second serve was consistent, had more height,” the 2003 US Open champion said.

“She has the tools now, albeit there’s going to be a learning curve. But credit to her, taking something new and walking it out a month later. I think Coco will be a dominant server.

“I was blown away by the two or three days we spent together, the feedback she’s able to give, what she’s able to take in, and the professional manner

There are people who don’t work as hard, they’re not a household name like Coco Gauff is. For someone who hasn’t turned 20, I was absolutely blown away. I would show up for her anytime she asks, I was so impressed with her.

“My version is, her toss was very inconsistent, so on good days, you really wouldn’t notice anything. She can have good serving days, but she had never really thought about her toss, right?

“So, it was like, arm-elbow position, folds at the end, and I said one thing can really make a dent in all of those issues. I go, ‘You toss the ball from kinda your waist, you kind of have this flip-motion up which creates spin and you’re having to chase it.’

“So, when it’s working, it’s fine. When it’s bad, it’s really bad. In the World Tour Finals last year, I think it was 25 double faults in one match. I said, ‘Listen, we have to create a little bit more margin’.