In a bid to win her second Grand Slam title of the year, Coco Gauff made a bold move right before the US Open.
After struggling for form since winning Roland Garros in June, Gauff chose to replace coach Matt Daly in the days leading up to the US Open.
She is now working with biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who previously enjoyed success alongside world number one Aryna Sabalenka, improving her serve.
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The American has struggled with her serve over recent months, making a worryingly high number of double faults.
Legendary coach Rick Macci believes MacMillan has already improved Gauff’s serve after watching them practice together ahead of the US Open.
Another top coach, Brad Gilbert, who guided Gauff to her first major title at the US Open in 2023, has now weighed in with his thoughts on the move.
Brad Gilbert thinks Coco Gauff is looking for ‘lightning in a bottle’ by hiring Gavin MacMillan
Appearing as a guest on CNBC, Gilbert gave his verdict on Gauff’s decision to replace Daly with MacMillan.
“She was struggling a little bit,” he said.
“She is looking for a little bit of lightning in a bottle, and sometimes in tennis, it’s not like you have teammates and a general manager.
“If things aren’t working, you make a move.”
The 64-year-old knows that all too well, as Gauff split with Gilbert after the US Open last year, following her disappointing fourth-round exit.
Gilbert was then asked by the CNBC hosts whether a coach has ever joined a player’s team last minute and turned things around before a tournament.
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“It’s happened a few times,” he said.
“It’s like a new relationship at times. It’s not sometimes what the coach says; it’s just that a new voice can help if you are not feeling it and struggling.
“We are in a results business; you can get the hook.”
Gauff will certainly hope that MacMillan can spark some life into her tennis, as she searches for her second US Open title in three years.
Coco Gauff’s US Open record
Since making her debut at Flushing Meadows in 2019, Gauff has enjoyed several strong performances at the US Open, statistically her second most successful Grand Slam event.
Grand SlamBest performanceLatest performanceWin/Loss recordWin %Australian OpenSF – 2024QF – 202516-673%French OpenW – 2025W – 202527-584%Wimbledon4R – 2019, 2021, 20241R – 202511-665%US OpenW – 20234R – 202417-577%Coco Gauff’s record at Grand Slams
Picking up 17 wins throughout her career, Gauff has beaten some of the very best players in the women’s game in New York.
2019 US Open (2-1)2019 US Open 1R [WIN] v Anastasia Potapova2019 US Open 2R [WIN] v Timea Babos2019 US Open 3R [LOSS] v Naomi Osaka2020 US Open (0-1)2020 US Open 1R [LOSS] v Anastasija Sevastova2021 US Open (1-1)2021 US Open 1R [WIN] v Magda Linette2021 US Open 2R [LOSS] v Sloane Stephens2022 US Open (4-1)2022 US Open 1R [WIN] v Leolia Jeanjean2022 US Open 2R [WIN] v Elena-Gabriela Ruse2022 US Open 3R [WIN] v Madison Keys2022 US Open 4R [WIN] v Zhang Shuai2022 US Open QF [LOSS] v Caroline Garcia2023 US Open (7-0)2023 US Open 1R [WIN] v Laura Siegemund2023 US Open 2R [WIN] v Mirra Andreeva2023 US Open 3R [WIN] v Elise Mertens2023 US Open 4R [WIN] v Caroline Wozniacki2023 US Open QF [WIN] v Jelena Ostapenko2023 US Open SF [WIN] v Karolina Muchova2023 US Open F [WIN] v Aryna Sabalenka2024 US Open (3-1)2024 US Open 1R [WIN] v Varvara Gracheva2024 US Open 2R [WIN] v Tatjana Maria2024 US Open 3R [WIN] v Elina Svitolina2024 US Open 4R [LOSS] v Emma Navarro
Her most impressive win came in the final of the 2023 US Open, when she fought back from a set down to beat Sabalenka.
Lifting her first major title, Gauff announced herself on the world stage and hasn’t left since.
Looking to win her second US Open title this time around, Gauff may have to overcome Sabalenka in the final once more, with the pair placed in opposite halves of the draw.
She won’t want to get too far ahead of herself thinking about a final just yet, however, as she first focuses on her opening match.
Gauff will begin her US Open campaign on Monday, August 25, against Australian star Ajla Tomljanovic.