Serena Williams’ former coach names the WTA player that he thinks should be the American number one over Coco Gauff

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Coco Gauff has struggled to continue in same form that saw her win the first nine matches of the 2025 season.

Gauff helped USA win the United Cup to kick-off her year, continuing her run on from winning the WTA Finals last year.

However, after crashing out at the quarter-final stage of the Australian Open, Gauff struggled at tournaments in the Middle East and did not win a single match.

Despite returning to winning ways during the sunshine double, Gauff was still left disappointed after relatively early exits at both Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

While Gauff has not been performing to her potential, some of her compatriots have been impressing on home soil.

Rick Macci says Jessica Pegula should be American number one over Coco Gauff

One of those is Gauff’s former doubles partner Jessica Pegula, who currently holds the position of world number four.

Pegula reached the Miami Open final for the first time this year, only losing out to world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

With that in mind, Rick Macci, who backed Pegula to win a major, has claimed that she is the true American number one at the moment.

When posting on X (formerly known as Twitter), Macci, who previously coached both Serena and Venus Williams, praised Pegula’s court craft.

“Age 31 the Buffalo Blaster is really the American Master ranked number 3 on the Planet because her mind and strokes are like granite,” wrote Macci. “Has been ranked number 1 doubles and understanding of the court gives others troubles. Not where you start it is where you finish.”

Gauff currently sits only 267 points ahead of Pegula in the WTA rankings, with Australian Open champion Madison Keys the third highest ranked American player.

Pegula was injured for most of the clay court swing last year, and therefore has 1,203 less points to defend than Gauff, putting her in a good position to become the top ranked American.

Although that would mean a lot to some people, Gauff doesn’t care about being the top American after admitting that in a recent interview.

Who has performed better out of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in 2025?

Gauff’s recent drop in form is reflective in the race to the WTA Finals, the tournament where she is the defending champion.

The 21-year-old is currently only the 11th ranked player from the first three months of the 2025 season, and the fifth highest American in that list.

After winning the only Grand Slam tournament so far this year, the aforementioned Keys is currently the highest American.

While Miami Open finalist Pegula is second out of her country women, having also won a WTA 250 title in Austin.

Gauff will look to build her way back up the ranks during the clay court season, where she will begin at the Stuttgart Open.

However, she could already be the American number two by that point if Pegula is able to win the Charleston Open this week.