Rick Macci, the childhood coach of Serena Williams, has shared valuable advice for Coco Gauff as the young tennis star prepares for the 2025 season. Macci encourages the 20-year-old to “experiment” with her serve during the offseason, suggesting that exploring different techniques could enhance her understanding of what works best for her.
Gauff, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, faced significant challenges with her serve throughout the 2024 season, particularly in the latter half. She led the WTA Tour with a staggering total of 430 double faults over the course of the year, averaging six double faults per match across her 71 matches.
The reigning US Open champion has been open about her frustrations regarding her serve, expressing a desire to address the issue and seek external input. Recently, Gauff announced that she has begun her preparations for the upcoming season.
“The time for pros to improve is the offseason. Experiment on the serve since you are in control. Changing from pinpoint to platform or platform to pinpoint could help and understanding that it is counterintuitive regarding the leg drive that initiates the racket entry,” Macci advised on X.
Gauff’s struggles were particularly evident during her title defense at the US Open, where she was eliminated in the round of 16 by Emma Navarro, losing 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. In that match, Gauff recorded 19 double faults, which contributed significantly to her defeat.
In her post-match press conference, Gauff reflected on her serving difficulties, attributing them to “an emotional, mental thing.” She expressed her determination to seek advice and improve, stating, “I definitely want to get other opinions… I think it’s also just kind of a mental hurdle that I have to get over.”
Gauff acknowledged her tendency to lean to her left side during her serve and recognized the need to address this issue. Following her disappointing performance at the US Open, she parted ways with coach Brad Gilbert and brought on Matt Daly. Under Daly’s guidance, Gauff won the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing and reached the semifinals in Wuhan, despite setting a record for the most double faults in a single WTA match during her loss to Aryna Sabalenka.
Despite the setbacks, Gauff remains optimistic about her progress. “New things. Yeah, working on a new thing. It’s expected. I only had really a week to learn it, then I went to Beijing. I knew it wasn’t going to be great… It’s growing pains, ups and downs,” she explained after the Sabalenka match.
At the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where she ultimately triumphed, Gauff noted the challenges of making mid-season adjustments. “You kind of have to correct it while you’re playing matches. Everything just feels fresh and new. It is difficult, but you got to think of the long-term,” she said.
As Gauff looks to resolve her serving issues before the start of 2025, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how her offseason efforts translate into her performance on the court.
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