MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) 鈥� It was a meaningless hit-and-giggle session, a mixed doubles exhibition at Rod Laver Arena just for fun and charity in front of fans a few days ahead of the , so was calling out how fast she would try to hit some serves.
Her guesses, and her deliveries, kept getting closer to 200 kph (125 mph) on Thursday evening, and when and her partner, Andrey Rublev, had taken that game, one of their opponents, Hall of Famer Lleyton Hewitt, acknowledged, 鈥淕reat serving.鈥� Gauff's response? 鈥淭hanks. I've been working on it.鈥�
Yes, she has 鈥� on her serving and her forehand 鈥� and the strides made in both of those areas are among the reasons Gauff is considered one of the few women ready to challenge two-time defending champion for the title at Melbourne Park when the year's first Grand Slam tournament begins Sunday (Saturday EST).
鈥淚t would be great to come home with the Australian Open trophy. But I think I鈥檝e just learned to not put so much pressure on events, and just put pressure on development and how I鈥檓 playing. That takes the pressure off,鈥� Gauff said. 鈥淚 mean, yeah, making the semis last year and losing to Aryna, the eventual champion 鈥� I feel like I can get there and cross that line.鈥�
Her first opponent in Melbourne will be another American who owns a Grand Slam title: , the champion in Australia in 2020 and a winner against Gauff in the first round at Wimbledon in 2023. This match will be Gauff's first appearance at a major since she accumulated in a fourth-round loss at last year's U.S. Open to Emma Navarro.
With the help of new coach Matt Daly, who joined Jean-Christophe 鈥淛C鈥� Faurel on Gauff's team after was let go in September, the 20-year-old American adjusted the grips she uses for her forehand and serve in a bid to correct the two most obvious shortcomings in her game.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just been a great combo. JC has brought me a lot of footwork and shot selection in my game. And Matt has helped me with the technical side of things 鈥� my serve, specifically, and other things, as well,鈥� Gauff explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a good combination that we have. I'm very thankful for them to make the transition as easy as possible, especially considering it is two people.鈥�
So far, so good.
鈥淪he's, for sure, improving,鈥� five-time Slam champion Iga Swiatek said.
Swiatek had an up-close look, losing to Gauff in the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia in November and in the final of the United Cup team event last week in Sydney. Both were straight-set results and came after Swiatek had led their head-to-head series 11-1.
As Gauff : 鈥渘ew szn, better me.鈥�
The championship at the WTA Finals felt like a big moment. It also included a victory over Sabalenka, who is currently ranked No. 1 鈥� one spot in front of Swiatek, and two in front of Gauff.
鈥淚t means a lot to me,鈥� Gauff said, 鈥渁nd playing the best of the best makes me feel confident in my game. ... I want to win as many big trophies as possible and just fill the cabinet up."
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Howard Fendrich has been the AP鈥檚 tennis writer since 2002. Find his stories here: . More AP tennis:
Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press
