Coco Gauff makes Novak Djokovic confession and reveals she modelled key shot after the Serb
World No 3 Coco Gauff has divulged that the inspiration for arguably her best shot comes from 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
The US Open champion explained she modelled her backhand on Djokovic’s “a lot” after her team had tried to mould the shot after another tennis great — Chris Evert.
Gauff’s two-handed backhand has been praised for being a technically sound stroke and is seen as one of her biggest assets. Djokovic, meanwhile, possesses a two-handed backhand considered by many to be one of the greatest shots in tennis history.
Coco Gauff hits a stunning backhand down the line passing shot against Karolina Muchova.
Coco’s speed is almost otherworldly.
The fact she was able to make this shot on full stretch and fight the only gap on the court is insanity.
Mind blown.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 7, 2023
The 20-year-old American secured her maiden Grand Slam title in September last year at the 2023 US Open, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the final.
Gauff fell to a 3-6, 6-1, 2-6 defeat to world No 27 Caroline Garcia in the last 16 of the Miami Open on Tuesday to end her hopes of winning the WTA 1000 title in her home state of Florida for 2024.
READ MORE: Coco Gauff reveals how she deals with defeats as Miami Open dream dies
Speaking during a press conference at the Miami Open, Gauff spoke about the close relationship she shares with 18-time major champion Evert.
“I’ll be honest. I didn’t grow up watching a lot of her tapes just because she was a couple generations past me. But I’ve gotten to know her off the court a little bit more,” she explained.
“She’s a very, very kind person. She texts me sometimes. I always try to text her, especially with the recent news of her illness and everything.
“As far as like her impact on tennis, she’s definitely, if you talk about tennis, she’s one of the first names people think of. Just timeless. I always get videos of her on court style looks on my page. I feel like I know her more for that.
“A lot of her messages are just advice on some matches or just, Good job, How are you doing, regular messages.”
The world No 3 also revealed how her team had attempted to model her backhand after Evert’s, but that she instead looked to Djokovic for inspiration.
“I think once I turned pro is when I watched a little bit more of her (Evert’s) old tapes. It’s definitely a different game,” Gauff said.
“I wouldn’t say I modelled my backhand after hers. Well, my team tried, then I tried to model it after Novak Djokovic a lot. That’s where that inspiration comes from.
“I think for me, my backhand most of the time when I’m making corrections if I miss it in the net, I’m always saying to use more left hand. Everybody is different. I don’t know. I’ve been taught to use more of your left hand on the backhand.
“The right kind of helps you get the power, but the left is definitely what you use for the control and to change the height and everything. I would say the left hand if you want to have diversity in your backhand is the most important for beginners trying to do a two-handed backhand.”
Gauff has made a positive start to 2024, having defended her title in Auckland, reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open and in Indian Wells, and made the quarter-finals in Dubai.
