Legendary coach Rick Macci, known for shaping the Williams sisters, identified a critical flaw in Coco Gauff’s game: her weight distribution. This, combined with poor footwork, contributed to a staggering 38 double faults at the 2024 US Open. Recognizing the need for change, Gauff parted ways with Brad Gilbert and revamped her team, adding Matt Daly alongside Jean-Christophe Faurel. However, her 2025 season has presented its challenges. With her most recent loss at the Indian Wells that snapped her a losing streak, Gauff revealed she’s overcome a significant ‘mental hurdle,’ suggesting she’s on the path to improvement.
Last September, the former US Open winner Coco Gauff endured a brutal 4th-round exit at the U.S. Open, falling to fellow American Emma Navarro after tallying 19 double faults, matching her career high. While Coco’s serve has remained a work in progress, she has embraced discomfort on the court, making technical adjustments, including a new grip, to refine her game. But ever since revamping her coaching team after just 17 days of the horrific return to the US Open, the tide has turned.
From her US Open fourth-round loss through her first match win at the 2025 Australian Open, the 20-year-old won 19 of 21 Tour-level matches. In between, she lifted titles at the China Open, WTA Finals, and the team event United Cup, proving her unstoppable form. However, after reaching the Happy Slam QF, she hit a roadblock: back-to-back first-round exits in Qatar and Dubai, followed by a shocking defeat to returning mom Belinda Bencic at Indian Wells. However, despite the setback, Gauff remains optimistic, highlighting the positives she’s taking from her latest loss.
Talking to the post-match press conference, Coco added, “We kind of changed a lot of things with the serve. I don’t want to get into specifics of it, but yeah, I mean, I went on the practice court after the first day and then after the other day. You know, I still think I could have served better. Was obviously more consistent, but definitely want to get more aggressive with it. It was kind of one of those things where I started the tournament not serving well, so it’s more so just trying to get it in.”
Aug 30, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Coco Gauff (USA) hits to Elina Svitolina (UKR) on day five of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Coco then continued, “That doesn’t mean — I mean, I hit some good serves today, but I feel like especially in that last game, up 40-Love, I probably could have went bigger in those moments. But yeah, like you said, it is an improvement, and hopefully can continue to do better from here,”
Nonetheless, Coco Gauff’s service remains a persistent ‘Achilles’ heel’, playing a pivotal role in her stunning defeat to Belinda Bencic in the California desert. Adding to the 30 double faults she committed in her first two matches, Gauff hit another eight against Bencic.
More troubling was her second-serve performance this time, winning just 33% of points: a number far too low to compete at the elite level in the WTA tour. While her double faults didn’t come in clusters, one proved particularly costly: putting her down 0-30 in the second set’s opening service game against the Swiss, allowing Bencic to break and take full control of the match.
With an 11-4 record this season, the 9-time WTA singles title winner remains unshaken by any mounting pressure. The American sensation, who recently teamed up with New Balance to launch her latest signature shoe, “Coco Delray,” is now on the verge of a major milestone: her 21st birthday!
Gauff shades light on her upcoming birthday bash despite the heartbreak at the Indian Wells
Time has its own way of changing everything, and Coco Gauff is no exception. Flashback to last year, the now-third seed was making waves in the California desert, dismantling Elise Mertens to secure a second straight QF appearance. She even received a surprise birthday cake during her ‘Tennis Channel’ interview, marking the occasion in style. Fast forward to today, and things look a little different for her.
Overcoming the three-game losing streak in 2025, Gauff will celebrate her 21st birthday at home with her family. “Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know if I’m going to feel any different. But, yeah, I think it’s an exciting age to turn. Usually I don’t really care, I guess, when my birthday is, but I am excited, and obviously I would have loved to be out here tomorrow. But I’m going to try to either get home tonight or tomorrow just to celebrate with my family,” Coco said at the post-match interview.
After celebrating her 21st birthday, the American ace is set to kick off her next campaign in Miami, where she’ll look to flip the script on her 2025 season. Can Coco bounce back and deliver a statement performance in front of her home fans? Share your thoughts below!
The post Despite Indian Wells Heartbreak, Coco Gauff Finds Solace as She Keeps Criticism Aside to Reflect on One Positive Side appeared first on EssentiallySports.