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After several disappointing performances, Coco Gauff has parted ways with her coach Brad Gilbert, and Serena Williams' former coach Rick Macci has some advice for the youngster on what she needs to improve moving forward. Macci, a seven-time USPTA national coach, pointed out the three things the American must alter in her game going forward.
For Gauff, 2024 began on a high note, but things quickly fell apart. After semifinal finishes at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros, the 20-year-old has struggled in the second half of her season. She made an early exit at Wimbledon and has since failed to make it past the round of 16 at any tournament, including the Paris Olympics and the US Open.
Now, Coco Gauff has split with coach Brad Gilbert and Macci has some suggestions for the things she needs to rectify in her game. The coach praised the former US Open champion’s understanding of the court but stated that she would need major rework on her forehand and serve to dominate at the top level. Taking to X, he wrote:
"Coco is (a) winner. She knows how to survive and understands the geometry of the court. She needs 100% biomechanical modifications to reprogram the reflexes. Has to be science based. The serve is a 360 degree Easy Fix as there is no running. Forehand has to be brand new ATP. Time is her Best Friend and her serve and forehand can become her two Best Friends if she takes the Time and addresses this correctly."
Rick Macci thinks Coco Gauff could become World No.1
This isn't the first time that Rick Macci has advised Coco Gauff to work on her serve and forehand. After her disappointing loss to Emma Navarro at the US Open, the 69-year-old stated he felt Gauff has World No.1 potential, but needed to improve her serve and forehand to get there.
“Always remember it is not where you start it is where you finish. With adaptations from a Science Based Blueprint Coco Gauff can someday be Number One in the world but most of all have the Glue on the forehand and serve biomechanically to stay there,” he wrote on X.
Gauff's outing at the US Open saw her knocked out in the round of 16, losing to Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 3-6. The 20-year-old’s service hampered her largely in the game, as she committed a total of 19 double faults over the course of the three sets.
