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Coco Gauff’s rise in tennis has been nothing short of spectacular, with two Grand Slam titles already under her belt at just 20 years old. However, despite her triumph at the French Open earlier this year, the young star has struggled to maintain momentum in recent months. Now, one of the most respected coaches in tennis has urged Gauff to take immediate steps to refine two critical areas of her game if she hopes to reach her full potential.
Rick Macci points out Coco Gauff's weaknesses
Rick Macci, the veteran coach widely recognized for mentoring Venus and Serena Williams, recently shared his candid assessment of Gauff’s current form. Writing on social media, the 70-year-old coach emphasized that while Gauff has the fighting spirit and talent to succeed, there are glaring technical flaws she must address.
“Coco will be OK as she fights and knows how to play. But to ever breathe rare air she has to address the alarming red flare,” Macci wrote.
According to him, Coco Gauff’s second serve and forehand remain vulnerable, particularly when the pressure is at its peak. He argued that these elements need a science-based plan to ensure consistency, rather than being left to chance.
“She is at a career crossroad with the 2nd serve and forehand but needs a science based Plan. This will not magically go away and bubbles up more under extreme pressure that particular day,” Macci explained.
The science of improvement
Macci, a seven-time USPTA National Coach of the Year, has long been an advocate for biomechanics in tennis training. He suggested that with the right adjustments—particularly in how Gauff initiates her racket movement and uses her leg drive on serve—her performance could improve drastically.
“Her wide serve to the deuce court is one of the best in the world, but then in the same breath, we’re talking about she leads the WTA Tour in double faults. So there’s a disconnect,” Macci told Tennis365.
He further elaborated that by keeping her weight back longer and reworking her serving platform, Coco Gauff could eliminate inconsistency. “With the right plan, there’s no doubt this could be solved immediately,” Macci added, mentioning collaboration with biomechanics expert Dr. Gordon.
The path to No. 1
Despite his criticisms, Macci remains one of Gauff’s staunchest supporters. He predicted last year that the American is destined for the top of the WTA rankings, a belief he has not wavered from.
“I think not only could Coco become No. 1, which she probably will anyways, I think she could stay there for a long time, because her backbone is better than her backhand and she’s an Olympic sprinter with a racket in her hand,” Macci stated.
With her natural athleticism, resilience, and work ethic, Coco Gauff already has the foundation of a champion. If she manages to fine-tune her serve and forehand under pressure, she may not only rise to the world No. 1 spot but also dominate women’s tennis for years to come.
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