Gauff’s forehand has often been a massive talking point when it comes to her game, with many seeing it as something of a weak spot. When her coach Brad Gilbert joined the camp last summer, he was inundated with text messages telling him to “fix” the 20-year-old’s forehand – messages he ignored.
It means that her solid two-handed backhand often goes ignored, despite being one of her most consistent shots. Gauff’s take-back on the shot has often drawn comparisons with ATP players. So it comes as no surprise to hear that the American modelled it after Djokovic.
The US Open champion was asked about Chris Evert’s influence following her third-round win in Miami, revealing that she sometimes messaged the tennis legend and started to watch her old tapes later in her own career. While some often likened her backhand to Evert’s, Gauff revealed that she ignored her team and tried to copy Djokovic instead of the 18-time Grand Slam champion.
