American tennis star Coco Gauff finds herself in a challenging position as she approaches the US Open. The 21-year-old French Open champion has been struggling with consistency issues, particularly her serve and forehand, raising questions about her preparation for the year’s final Grand Slam.
Gauff enters the tournament as the third seed after slipping from world No. 2 to No. 3 following her quarterfinal exit at the Cincinnati Open. Despite winning the French Open earlier this year, her recent form has been concerning, with persistent double-fault problems that have plagued her throughout the season.
What Did Rick Macci Say on Coco Gauff’s Coaching Situation?
Rick Macci has weighed in on Gauff’s coaching situation with a clear verdict. In a recent tweet, Macci stated whether the two-time Grand Slam champion needs coaching changes.
“Asked if Coco needs to change her coaching situation. No. She does not need to SUBTRACT needs to ADD,” Macci wrote. The coach expressed shock about why this approach hasn’t been implemented, calling it “a mystery because this champion could rewrite history.”
Macci emphasized that addressing Gauff’s technical issues should be straightforward. “The REAL cause and effect is very easy to address if not under extreme pressure the forehand and second serve could be a hot mess,” he noted. His comments highlight the core problems that have been evident throughout Gauff’s 2025 campaign, serving inconsistencies that become magnified under pressure situations.
Asked if Coco needs to change her coaching situation. No. She does not need to SUBTRACT needs to ADD. Why this has not been done the past three years is a mystery because this champion could rewrite history. The REAL cause and effect is very easy to address if not under extreme…
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) August 20, 2025
Statistical evidence supports Macci’s concerns as Gauff has averaged 6 double faults per match this season and leads the WTA tour in this category. Her serving woes were particularly evident during recent tournaments, including 23 double faults in a single game against Danielle Collins at the Canadian Open and 16 double faults in her Cincinnati loss to Jasmine Paolini.
Gauff’s mother defended her daughter’s double-fault statistics before the US Open stint.
In a previous assessment, Macci offered additional insight into Gauff’s potential, writing: “Coco has the pedigree and inner qualities that she can win any tournament anytime anywhere. With foot speed like a blur and the heart of a lion she can win the Open because she never quits and is always trying.”
Coco has the pedigree and inner qualities that she can win any tournament anytime anywhere. With foot speed like a blur and the heart of a lion she can win the Open because she never quits and is always trying. @CocoGauff
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) August 19, 2025
How Does Gauff’s Path to The US Open Look Like?
Gauff’s path to the US Open has been marked by mixed results. Her 2025 season record stands at 31-13, with her most significant achievement being the French Open title, where she defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final. However, her performance since Roland Garros has been inconsistent, winning only five of her last nine matches.
The Cincinnati Open highlighted her ongoing struggles. She led Paolini 6-2 in the first set before ultimately losing 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. The match featured 62 unforced errors from Gauff, with her serving troubles allowing Paolini to break serve multiple times. This defeat cost Gauff valuable ranking points, allowing Iga Świątek to reclaim the world No. 2 position.
MORE: Iga Świątek’s US Open Act Stuns Coco Gauff’s Former Coach, Hours After Cincinnati Victory
Gauff recently won the Canadian Open Women’s Doubles with McCartney Kessler, but skipped the revamped US Open mixed doubles event. She explained that her schedule was already packed with sponsor commitments and didn’t want to waste “mental energy” on the competition.
Gauff enters the US Open seeded third, behind Sabalenka and Świątek. As the 2023 US Open champion, she carries the pressure of defending a Grand Slam title on home soil while working to resolve the technical issues that have hindered her recent performances.
