World No. 3 Coco Gauff has made a stunning and decisive transfer simply earlier than the beginning of the 2025 U.S. Open-parting methods with each of her longtime coaches, Matt Daly and Jean-Christophe Faurel.
The 21-year-old, searching for a reset after a string of disappointing outcomes, has introduced on Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics specialist, to take over her teaching duties.
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Daly and Faurel have been instrumental in Gauff’s rise since her teenage years. Faurel helped nurture her psychological resilience, whereas Daly fine-tuned her technical foundations, particularly her grip and serving mechanics. Collectively, they guided her to main milestones, together with a U.S. Open title in 2023 and a French Open crown earlier this yr.
Nevertheless, since her triumph in Paris, Gauff has struggled to search out consistency. She suffered a first-round exit at Wimbledon, adopted by one other early departure on the Nationwide Financial institution Open in Montreal.
Most just lately, she was defeated within the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals by Jasmine Paolini regardless of a promising begin. Notably, Gauff dedicated 16 double faults in that match, a problem that has plagued her all through the season.
To this point in 2025, Gauff holds a 35-12 file, however her post-French Open efficiency stands at 5-4, elevating issues about her present type heading into the ultimate Grand Slam of the yr.
A brand new technical method
Gavin MacMillan, Gauff’s new coach, is well-known for his scientific and data-driven method. Because the founding father of the Sport Science Lab, MacMillan has labored throughout a number of sports activities and was beforehand credited with serving to Aryna Sabalenka rise to No. 1 on this planet.
His power lies in breaking down motion and approach by means of biomechanics – a becoming selection for Gauff, whose second serve and forehand have just lately grow to be liabilities beneath stress.
Analysts and former coaches, together with Rick Macci, have emphasised the urgency of correcting these flaws earlier than they start to outline her recreation. Macci has warned that Gauff is at a “profession crossroads,” the place changes are not non-obligatory however important for sustaining her elite standing.
Past the technical points, Gauff has additionally opened up concerning the immense stress she faces to carry out on the highest degree. The load of expectations, each inner and exterior, has contributed to emotional fatigue, one thing she hopes a contemporary perspective might help her handle higher.
With MacMillan now in her nook, Gauff goals to place latest disappointments behind her and mount a severe title protection on the U.S. Open. This new teaching course marks a pivotal chapter in her profession, one that can check each her adaptability and resilience on tennis’s greatest stage.
