As the 2025 US Open draws near, Coco Gauff has made waves in the tennis world with a surprising coaching change. After clinching the French Open title with Matt Daly in June, the world number three opted to replace him with Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics expert known for helping Aryna Sabalenka resolve persistent issues with her serve. This bold move has sparked curiosity across the WTA Tour, prompting Sabalenka to share her perspective on the decision.
Praise for MacMillan’s impact on her career
During a pre-tournament press conference, Sabalenka reflected on her own experience working with MacMillan and expressed appreciation for the guidance he provided during a challenging period of her career.
“Yeah, I’m really grateful for his help during really tough times. For me, he really helped me with the serve. I really appreciate him for everything,” Aryna Sabalenka said.
She added that while every player is different, she sincerely hopes that Coco Gauff and MacMillan’s partnership proves successful.
“You know, everyone is different. I was really desperate for changes, and I was ready to change whatever, to change my serve and to get better… So for me, it was basically, like, a couple of weeks, and I was sort of fixed. But everyone is different, and I wish them both the very best, and hopefully everything can work out well for them.”
The process that transformed her serve
Aryna Sabalenka highlighted that her work with MacMillan, though brief, yielded immediate results. “You know, for me it wasn’t really hard, because I tried literally everything, and nothing would help me to fix my serve. It was the last step before I would say, ‘Okay, bye-bye, tennis,’” she explained.
The disciplined approach and commitment to MacMillan’s guidance allowed Sabalenka to dramatically reduce her double-fault count in just a few weeks, helping her reach back-to-back semifinals at the Cincinnati Open and US Open.
“I was so desperate, so I wasn’t really doubting my decision. The moment we started working, I felt like, ‘Okay, there is something.’ I definitely have a better feeling on my serve. I just trusted the process, trusted myself,” Aryna Sabalenka added.
Looking ahead for Coco Gauff at the US Open
As Coco Gauff embarks on this new chapter with MacMillan, the tennis world will be watching closely to see if the change has the same transformative effect on her game. With the US Open fast approaching, fans will be eager to see whether this coaching decision can help the American star secure her second title at Flushing Meadows.