Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, analyzed Coco Gauff’s serve following her straight-sets loss to Jasmine Paolini in the 2025 Italian Open final.
While praising the young American’s athleticism, the legendary coach pinpointed mechanical issues in Gauff’s serve. He believes that it continues to hamper her consistency, especially under pressure. According to Macci, the problem isn’t in the toss or grip, but in a critical “vertical component” that’s disrupting her timing and delivery.
Coco Gauff Reached the Italian Open Final for the First Time
Gauff entered the 2025 Italian Open riding a wave of momentum after making it to the final of the Madrid Open earlier in May, where she fell to top seed Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
Seeded fourth in Rome, Gauff powered past a tough draw that included Victoria Mboko, Magda Linette, Emma Raducanu, Mirra Andreeva, and Zheng Qinwen. However, the final proved a different story. Playing in front of a raucous home crowd, sixth seed Jasmine Paolini overwhelmed Gauff 6-4, 6-2.
In the aftermath of Gauff’s loss, Macci analyzed her serve on social media, saying the problem isn’t the toss or grip but a disrupted vertical motion that hurts her rhythm and control.
“With Coco, it is not her toss. It is not her head. It is not her grip. It is not her opening up,” Macci wrote on X. “THE VERTICAL COMPONENT is interrupted causing the symptoms everybody sees. Going to a tight platform [stance] will jolt the muscle memory, rewire the reflexes, establish a different timing. This and another tweak of internal shoulder rotation will add unreal juice and better location.”
With Coco it is not her toss. It is not her head. It is not her grip. It is not her opening up. THE VERTICLE COMPONENT is interrupted causing the symptoms everybody sees. Going to tight platform will jolt the muscle memory rewire the reflexes establish a different timing. This…
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) May 18, 2025
Macci supported his critique with stats, noting that Gauff has 430 double faults in 71 matches. He added that her second serve often lands too central, allowing opponents to attack and seize control early.
“Coco has 430 double faults in 71 matches so far,” he added. “Remember that sometimes when you double, you flip the strategy script. No rip, go two for one, and the point has now slowly begun. On top of that, even if the second is not a double, it lands in the middle of the box—they take it early, and it is right on your socks.”
Coco has 430 double faults in 71 matches so far. Remember that sometimes when you double you flip the strategy script no Rip go 2 for 1 and point has now slowly Begun. On top of that even if the second is not a double it lands in the middle of the Box they take it early and it is…
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) May 18, 2025
Coco Gauff Speaks Out After Italian Open Final Loss
Speaking at her post-match press conference after the final loss, Coco Gauff acknowledged she was proud of reaching consecutive finals in Madrid and Rome but expressed disappointment with her performance against Paolini.
“Definitely proud of the two results, but also disappointed. It’s a bittersweet feeling. Jasmine played great tennis today. Unfortunately, I felt like I didn’t bring my best, which I knew I needed today. Overall, a lot to look forward to in Paris,” she said.
“It’s not to discredit my opponent. She forced me to play that way. Yeah, maybe I could have served better and put more balls in the court, could play better. I definitely could and can. But she played to win today, and she deserved to win,” she added.