Coco Gauff Reflects on Her Decision to Part Ways with Her Coach Before the US Open

Coco Gauff will face Jessica Pegula in the first robin-round game at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Coco Gauff Reflects on Her Decision to Part Ways with Her Coach Before the US Open

Coco Gauff (via X/Ground Press)

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Coco Gauff made a brave decision to change her coaching team ahead of this year’s US Open. The American star parted ways with Matt Daly just after crashing out of the Cincinnati Open, which led to her hiring Aryna Sabalenka’s former biomechanics coach, Gavin MacMillan, ahead of the New York Grand Slam.

Gauff had come under huge criticism at the Canadian Open after hitting over 40 double faults before crashing out in the round of 16 against eventual champion Victoria Mboko. The criticism grew worse during the Cincinnati Open, despite having fewer double faults in the tournament and reaching the quarter-finals.

The World No.3 made the decision to split with Daly amidst the struggle with her serves on the court. The appointment of MacMillan before the US Open brought more critical looks to her service game, and that was immense pressure for her to handle. In fact, in her second round match, she burst into tears against Donna Vekic.

Despite her efforts, she fell to Naomi Osaka in the round of 16 of the US Open in straight sets. The defeat was a reflection of her under-performance at the tournament. But, during the Asian swing, Gauff got back her confidence on the court, reaching the semi-finals of the China Open, before clinching her 11th career title in Wuhan.

During an interview with Sky Sports, Gauff was asked whether she regretted the decision to part ways with Daly just days ahead of the US Open. The 21-year-old admitted that it was a great learning experience to make the decision and doesn’t regret her actions as she believes it was for the best:

Once it was all over, I think it was a great learning experience for me I definitely don’t regret my decision [to change coaches] or anything. I would do it 1000 times. But it made me a better player and person off the court, having to navigate all of that. Sometimes on tour, you think you have got the hang of it, but there is always new territory to be faced. I think that was a new thing, and it’s not going to be the first or last time in my career that there will be more attention.

Gauff has won just two titles on tour this season. Her first trophy came at the French Open, where she came from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka in three sets. She then claimed her second at the Wuhan Open, beating fellow compatriot Jessica Pegula in straight sets to claim the title.

Coco Gauff admits it has been tough to deal with her serving problems with her new coach

Coco Gauff currently holds a 47-14 win-loss record on tour this season. Most of her victories came during the clay-court season when she reached three consecutive finals. The 21-year-old has also made progress in her serving technique since Gavin MacMillan joined her team. She has now been able to serve better, particularly her second serve.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Image via X/Coco Gauff Fans)

But progress has been made because of the numerous practice sessions she has had with MacMillan. She revealed during the US Open, that she practiced her serves so much until she became tired. During the aforementioned interview, Gauff also stated that it has been a tough process to work on her serve:

I think tennis is one of those rare sports where we don’t really have closed practices. We are always practicing. That was the tough thing. Having to work on the motion and all the cameras when I would walk on court would turn to me. Everyone was trying to see everything. It was a cool experience. Not at the time, but now looking back, it was funny.

Gauff will begin her WTA Finals campaign against Jessica Pegula. She currently holds a 3-4 head-to-head record against the fellow American star, but those three wins have come from their last six meetings on tour. After Pegula, Gauff will face Aryna Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini in the robin-round stage of the season-ending tournament.

Also Read: Ben Shelton Full of Delight After Earning His ATP Finals Qualification at the Paris Masters