Coco Gauff began the year on a high note, spearheading Team USA’s United Cup victory and reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals. However, her momentum faltered during the Middle East swing and the ‘Sunshine Doubles,’ where she experienced early exits. This dip in form became a significant talking point, particularly after she faced a familiar disappointment at the Stuttgart Open, exiting in the quarterfinals – reminiscent of her 2024 result there. Now, Gauff faces the Madrid Open, a tournament where she debuted last year, reaching the round of 16 before falling to fellow American Madison Keys. The pressure is on for Gauff. And backing her is Serena Williams’ ex-coach, Rick Macci.
On April 19, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini defeated Gauff by 6-4,6-3 in the QF of the Stuttgart Open. In this match, Coco Gauff was spotted struggling a bit with her serves and she was unable to capitalize on the biggest moments of the match. Paolini won 41 service points and seven service games compared to Gauff’s 25 service points and four service games. For the record, she had hit 121 double faults in her 18 matches this season before Stuttgart – the most on WTA Tour in 2025 season so far.
A day after Gauff’s Stuttgart defeat, Macci claimed, “Coco will be fine. You never lose talent/ athletic ability. This is a journey of winning/ losing staggers/ daggers.” Not only that, he also took a jibe at the critics of the 2023 US Open champion by saying, “She will win multiple Grand Slams and be number one in the future. Everybody freaks out when you lose/ Struggle but you win everybody loves to Snuggle,” on X. The legendary coach has now offered the exact tweaks that are needed to achieve just that.
Interesting fact: Coco Gauff, who has a win-loss record of 14-6, is yet to clinch a title this year even after six tournaments (apart from the United Cup) in past 3 months.
“Coco has so much potential has not even scratched the Surface on any Surface. A fixture in the top Ten I feel her ceiling is higher in the End. With science-based tweaks they can be locked in a few weeks. Players can tweak Some but with Coco best is yet to Come. @CocoGauff,” said Rick Macci in an April 21 tweet.
Coco has so much potential has not even scratched the Surface on any Surface. A fixture in the top Ten I feel her ceiling is higher in the End. With science based tweaks they can be locked in a few weeks. Players can tweak Some but with Coco best is yet to Come. @CocoGauff
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) April 21, 2025
Even in early February, Macci came up with a tweet that said, “Coco has untapped potential and can get to number one and most of all stay there. If second serve becomes an asset and forehand become her Best shot. Her first serve SOMEDAY can hit 130 mph as she continues to tweak. Make up speed is as good as the sport has ever seen. @CocoGauff.“
As things stand, Coco Gauff is currently on the hunt for her first title of the season and also her 10th overall. She’ll now be seen in action at the Madrid Open. The main draw action of this clay court event begins on Tuesday, April 22. Who are going to be the probable opponents for Gauff, though?
Coco Gauff’s probable opponents at the 2025 Madrid Open
Last year, Coco Gauff didn’t give herself much time before kick-starting her campaign at the clay court swing, but this year things have been a bit different. In one of her recent interviews, she claimed, “I think this year I came a little bit early just to give myself more time to adjust to the clay and indoor conditions here, too. So, yeah, I think overall I think it was a good decision.“
Although it didn’t go according to her plans in Stuttgart, Gauff will be keen to come up with a better performance in Madrid. Her best record in this tournament was reaching the fourth round in 2024. Can she make a longer run this time? Well, the road to the final looks a bit tough for the American!
She has received a BYE in the first round and could face Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska or a yet-to-be-placed qualifier in the second round. Then she might get onto the battlefield against another promising youngster, Leylah Fernandez, in the third round. If Gauff wins these two matches, then she could face either Clara Tauson or Belinda Bencic in the next round. Both Tauson and Bencic have been in good form this season, winning one title each. Thus, making it a tough challenge for the American.
Then in the QF, Coco Gauff has a higher chance of crossing paths with the in-form Mirra Andreeva. The 17-year-old Russian sensation has already beaten some strong opponents on her way to her two title triumphs (Dubai and Indian Wells) this season. Then in the SF lies her biggest challenge.
The defending champion, Iga Swiatek. Gauff has a 3-11 record against the Pole, but interestingly, the American had the last laugh on the previous two occasions. After that, if Gauff manages to reach the final, then she’d have to beat the world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, to clinch her first title in this iconic clay court event. How far do you think Gauff can reach in the Spanish capital this time?
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