Coco Gauff’s Recent Challenges and Coaching Changes
Following a disappointing performance at the 2025 Canadian Open, tennis star Coco Gauff has received strategic guidance from renowned coach Rick Macci, famous for coaching legends such as Serena and Venus Williams. Just weeks before this setback, Gauff celebrated a major career milestone by clinching her first French Open title, marking her second Grand Slam victory overall. In that thrilling match, she managed to rally from a lost first set against Aryna Sabalenka, ultimately claiming the championship in Paris.
Performance Fluctuations
However, sometimes the excitement of momentous achievements can lead to a temporary dip in form, a situation Gauff seems to be experiencing now. After her French Open triumph, she faced defeats in the opening rounds of both the Berlin Open and Wimbledon, further complicating her season.
At the Canadian Open, despite pushing through to victory against both Danielle Collins and Veronika Kudermetova, Gauff struggled to find her rhythm. Notably, in her clash with Collins, she registered a shocking 23 double faults, hinting at underlying issues in her game. Ultimately, Gauff’s journey at the tournament came to a premature end when she was defeated by Canadian talent Victoria Mboko, who won decisively with a score of 6-1, 6-4, energized by the spirited hometown crowd.
Areas for Improvement
Although Gauff demonstrated improvement in her second serve during that match, frequently avoiding the double faults that plagued her earlier, it was countered by a series of unforced errors, particularly with her forehand. These two areas have long been recognized as weaknesses in Gauff’s otherwise impressive skill set, which fuels her ranking as the world No. 2 and underlying ability to win Grand Slam titles.
In a recent post on social media platform X, Macci emphasized the necessity for Gauff to adopt a rigorous, science-driven approach to refine her forehand and serve. He believes that while she possesses incredible determination and heart, inconsistencies in these areas provide opponents with added confidence. Macci has suggested that a scientifically-informed strategy could yield quick improvements, having previously claimed that issues with her second serve could be resolved swiftly through a meticulous method.
Support and Future Outlook
Gauff’s current coach, Matt Daly, who succeeded Brad Gilbert after the 2024 US Open, has been pivotal in her recent successes, including the French Open win and a title at the 2024 WTA Finals. However, the ongoing challenge of addressing her second serve has persisted. While he cannot be held accountable for the high number of double faults she recorded last season, 2025 has already seen her return to the top of that statistic list, with much of the season still ahead.
Despite facing criticism and negativity on social media, Gauff enjoys a fiercely loyal fanbase, ready to support her through every phase of her career, including her current struggles with serve and forehand techniques. Her commitment to remain connected with her supporters is evident, illustrated by heartfelt social media messages thanking fans who purchased her latest collaboration shoes with New Balance.
