Coco Gauff’s recent struggles on serve have become a pressing concern as the US Open approaches. Frequent double faults and lack of precision have handed opponents crucial openings. Yet every problem comes with a solution, and her former coach believes he knows exactly what needs to change.
American tennis veteran and Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, candidly assessed her need for improvement while outlining specific adjustments that could transform her game. He also offered his perspective on the world No. 3’s recent split with coach Matthew Daly.
What Technical Changes Does Brad Gilbert Believe Will Fix Coco Gauff’s Serving Struggles?
Coco Gauff’s recent serving woes have highlighted her most glaring weakness on tour. The American has not lifted a title since the 2025 French Open, with a relentless stream of double faults proving costly to her championship hopes.
The numbers tell a troubling story. Gauff racked up 42 double faults across just three matches at the Canadian Open. While her serve showed encouraging signs of stability in Cincinnati, the issue resurfaced dramatically in her quarterfinal loss to Jasmine Paolini, where 16 double faults proved decisive in ending her tournament run.
Amid these struggles, the 22-year-old also parted ways with coach Daly, who had been guiding her since last autumn and working extensively on refining her grip and other technical aspects of her game. The split came as Gauff searched for solutions to her serving inconsistencies.
While she continues to work with longtime coach Jean-Christophe Faurel, Gauff has strategically added biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan to her team. MacMillan earned recognition for helping Aryna Sabalenka fix her notorious serving problems, making him an ideal choice for Gauff’s current situation.
The two-time major champion quickly focused on her serve, putting in intensive practice sessions with MacMillan at Flushing Meadows. Gilbert also emphasized the urgency of improvement, noting that grip adjustments and a few other changes could be pivotal to her progress. A tennis insider on X later shared Gilbert’s specific recommendations:
“The player has to be willing to make the grip changes & that for mechanical changes you need 4-6 weeks. He added that she needs an 80-85 mph safety kick 2nd serve, not faster, not slower.
Via ESPN
On Gauff’s DF issues, asked about his time with her@bgtennisnation says “The player has to be willing to make the grip changes” & that for mechanical changes “you need 4-6 weeks”
He added that she really needs an 80-85 mph safety kick 2nd serve, not faster, not slower https://t.co/1rce2JS6zp— Amy Lundy Dahl (@AmyLundyDahl) August 20, 2025
Gauff currently holds a 35-12 win-loss record for the 2024-25 season and will look to improve that mark at the 2025 US Open.
How Did Gilbert Defend Gauff’s Recent Coaching Changes?
Following Gauff’s recent split with Daly and the addition of MacMillan, a fan questioned Gilbert whether her frequent coaching changes were common among top-ranked players in professional tennis. The inquiry touched on concerns about stability within her team structure.
MORE: With Aryna Sabalenka as Example, Coco Gauff’s New Team Addition Earns Star Coach’s Support
Gilbert explained that success in tennis is ultimately defined by results, which naturally leads players and their teams to make strategic changes when needed. However, he pushed back against the notion that Gauff frequently switches coaches, offering a different perspective on her decision-making.
“It’s a results business, she actually hasn’t switched that much,” Gilbert wrote on X.
it’s a results business, she actually hasn’t switched that much
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) August 20, 2025
After a shocking first-round exit at Wimbledon, Gauff renewed her determination to focus on the North American hard-court swing. However, she fell short of her true potential at the Canadian Open, exiting in the fourth round after her serving struggles continued to plague her matches.
She then shifted her attention to the Cincinnati Open, where she entered as one of the home favorites with high expectations. The American advanced to the quarterfinals but fell to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in a grueling three-set battle showcasing her resilience and ongoing technical challenges.
Gauff’s quarterfinal finish, combined with Iga Świątek’s title run in Cincinnati, pushed the former down to No. 3 in the WTA rankings, as the Pole reclaimed the World No. 2 spot. The shift in rankings added extra pressure heading into the US Open.
Yet the American youngster has repeatedly shown that setbacks do not define her career trajectory. As she chases a third Grand Slam title at the US Open, the roar of the home crowd will stand firmly behind her, and the technical adjustments with MacMillan could prove to be the difference-maker she needs.
