Coco Gauff made a brave decision to change her coach ahead of this year’s US Open.
Days before the fourth and final major of the year, Gauff parted ways with Matthew Daly and hired Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics specialist who had previously worked with world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
The appointment came amid struggles the American was dealing with on her serve, having tallied a large number of double faults throughout the season.
With MacMillan in her corner, so far, Gauff reached the fourth round of the US Open and the semifinals of the China Open, before clinching the 11th title of her career in Wuhan.
Ahead of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the world number three reflected on her decision to make a switch-up in her team.
Coco Gauff reflects on her coach change before the US Open
In an interview with Sky Sports, Gauff said: “The US Open was tough. I am used to attention, and I don’t know if it was more, but it felt like a lot more [this year].
“Once it was all over, I think it was a great learning experience for me,” said the 21-year-old, who saw her campaign at Flushing Meadows come to an end when suffering defeat to Naomi Osaka in round four.
“I definitely don’t regret my decision [to change coaches] or anything. I would do it 1000 times. But it made me a better player and person off the court, having to navigate all of that.
“Sometimes on tour, you think you have got the hang of it, but there is always new territory to be faced. I think that was a new thing, and it’s not going to be the first or last time in my career that there will be more attention.”
Discussing her change of serve with MacMillan, Gauff said: “I think tennis is one of those rare sports where we don’t really have closed practices. We are always practicing.
“That was the tough thing. Having to work on the motion and all the cameras when I would walk on court would turn to me.
“Everyone was trying to see everything. It was a cool experience. Not at the time, but now looking back, it was funny.”
Coco Gauff’s campaign at the US Open
Gauff’s run in New York began with a tough three-set battle against Ajla Tomljanovic, in which she came through narrowly, winning 6-4, 6-7, 7-5.
The two-time Grand Slam champion was brought to another tiebreak in the first set of her second-round clash with Donna Vekic, but won the shootout and secured the second set to advance.
Her most comfortable victory of the tournament came in round three against Magdalena Frech, whom she beat 6-3, 6-1, while conceding just one break of serve.
In the fourth round, Gauff was met with an in-form Osaka, and the Japanese star triumphed over her in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 en route to the semifinals, where she ultimately lost to Amanda Anisimova.
With a fourth-round finish, Gauff matched her finish at the US Open from 2024 and defended her points.
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