Coco Gauff Finally Lifts Lid on the ‘Sudden’ Coaching Change Ahead of the US Open

Having won it back in 2023, Coco Gauff will hope to win a second US Open title this year.

Coco Gauff Finally Lifts Lid on the ‘Sudden’ Coaching Change Ahead of the US Open

Coco Gauff (via X/Ground Press)

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Coco Gauff has shed light on her sudden decision to part ways with coach Matt Daly only days before the US Open. Daly had worked with her for 10 months, and their split surprised many in the tennis world. Gauff has now teamed up with Gavin MacMillan, alongside long-time mentor Jean-Christophe Faurel.

Her time with Daly brought notable success. She lifted titles at the China Open, the WTA Finals, and captured her second Grand Slam singles trophy at the French Open in June. But recent struggles with her serve raised concern.

At the Canadian Open, she hit a career-high 23 double faults against Danielle Collins. A week later in Cincinnati, she produced 16 double faults in a quarter-final loss to Jasmine Paolini, which became Daly’s final match as her coach. Gauff said in her pre-tournament US Open press conference:

It was, like, a very sudden decision. Gavin became available. I just felt this was the best decision for my game, at least, and I had to go with what I was feeling. Matt, I think Matt is a great coach and a great person and 100% love working with him. Yeah, I mean, we obviously had a very successful partnership, but I’m just looking at long term.

In New York, Gauff was seen training with MacMillan, who is recognized for his work with Aryna Sabalenka. Speaking before her Flushing Meadows campaign, she admitted the choice to change her team was made quickly. Gauff stressed that she did not want to “waste time,” even with a Grand Slam so close.

History shows that coaching shifts have often sparked strong runs in her career. The addition of Brad Gilbert in 2023 led to victories in Washington, Cincinnati, and her first US Open title in the same summer. Later, her partnership with Daly delivered more big trophies. Now, with MacMillan in her corner, Gauff hopes the timing of another bold change will pay off.

Coco Gauff involved in the battle for World No.1 ranking

The WTA No. 1 ranking is at stake at the 2025 US Open, with Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek both in position to challenge Aryna Sabalenka. Swiatek recently overtook Gauff for the No. 2 ranking after winning her first Cincinnati title, but both women will focus on the bigger goal in New York: the top spot. This year’s US Open also sets a record with $5 million awarded to the singles champion.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff

Gauff enters the tournament ranked third with 7,874 points. She will lose 230 points from last year’s fourth-round run. To become No. 1 for the first time, Gauff must win the title and hope Sabalenka falls before the quarterfinals. Since she begins ahead of Swiatek in the live rankings, the American can also move back to No. 2 if she equals or betters Swiatek’s result before the final.

Swiatek holds 7,933 points but will drop 430 from last year’s quarterfinal finish. For her to reclaim the No. 1 position she once held for 125 weeks, she needs to win the US Open and see Sabalenka lose before the quarterfinals. Swiatek has said rankings are not her main focus, but a deep run in New York could put her back at the top.

Sabalenka remains the favorite to keep her ranking. She begins with 9,225 points once her 2023 champion’s total of 2,000 drops. The Belarusian only needs to reach the quarterfinals to ensure she stays No. 1. Having lifted at least one Slam title in each of the past two years, she will look to defend her crown in New York and extend her reign at the top.

Coco Gauff adds to American history at the US Open

The U.S. Open women’s draw is headlined by the last three champions, who hold the top three seeds in New York. Defending winner Aryna Sabalenka takes the No. 1 spot, 2022 champion Iga Swiatek is seeded second, and 2023 titleholder Coco Gauff is No. 3.

Coco Gauff Canadian Open Montreal 2025
Coco Gauff (image via Getty)

Gauff leads a strong American presence inside the top 10. She is joined by Jessica Pegula at No. 4, Madison Keys at No. 6, Amanda Anisimova at No. 8, and Emma Navarro at No. 10. Pegula shares the top half of the draw with Sabalenka, creating the chance of a semifinal rematch.

Rounding out the top 10 are Mirra Andreeva of Russia at No. 5, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini at No. 7, and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina at No. 9. Sabalenka opens against Rebeka Masarova of Switzerland, while Swiatek begins her campaign against Colombia’s Emiliana Arango. Gauff faces Ajla Tomljanovic, the Australian who ended Serena Williams’ career in 2022.

Veteran Venus Williams received a wild card into the tournament. The 45-year-old drew a challenging opener against Karolina Muchova, the No. 11 seed from the Czech Republic. Muchova has reached the semifinals in each of the past two U.S. Opens, making it a daunting task for the former champion.

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