Serena Williams' ex-coach reveals what Coco Gauff needs to do to recover from Madrid Open failure

Veteran coach Rick Macci, best known for his stint with the Williams' sisters, has weighed in on what the current top-ranked American player, Coco Gauff, needs to do to improve her chances of winning upcoming tournaments. Macci's comments came days after the American lost to Belarusian World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Madrid Open.

Notably, Gauff, whose serve has been pinpointed as a glaring weakness in her game, served eight double faults in the match, which she lost 3-6, 6-7(3).

Macci, who is quite active on X with his punditry, weighed in on the World No. 3's troubles with her serve.

"It is ok for Coco to double," the veteran coach noted. "Question is. When you did it. How you did it. And the Real Why doing it. All three very unique answers to double trouble."

"You can mask the problem by going 2 for 1 or hide it by slowing it down but be ready for the opponent to pound," he warned in his post, in which he tagged the American.

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Gauff's run to the final of the Madrid Open was seen as a return to form for the former US Open champion, who is yet to win a singles title this year. Notably, Gauff drubbed former World No. 1 and 4-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinal.

After making the final, Coco courted controversy by thanking Jesus Christ for the opportunity to contest the decider. She said:

"I’d like to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ to be here and the opportunity to play in the final."

Her statement drew a mixed response from fans, some of whom suggested that she should keep her faith and tennis career separate. However, Coco Gauff fired back, saying:

"I know there's a whole discourse about it online, but I've done it every speech that I've been on tour. I'm not out here trying to force anybody to believe in anything. I share my beliefs for people who also believe in it, as well."

Coco Gauff is set to return to the tour at this week's Italian Open, another key tune-up event ahead of the year's second Grand Slam at Roland Garros.

Rick Macci has previously hailed Coco Gauff as a potential World No. 1

Coco Gauff speaks to the press at the Internazionali BNL D'Italia 2025 - Day Two - Source: Getty

Rick Macci has been extremely vocal in his belief that Coco Gauff will soon ascend to the summit of the world rankings and win multiple Grand Slams.

Macci, a seven-time USPTA national coach of the year winner, suggested that Gauff is the best athlete on the WTA Tour after she made the final in Madrid. The veteran coach has claimed that Coco Gauff's "family genetics is off the charts."

About the author

Pratap is a tennis journalist at Sportskeeda. With over five years of professional experience in diverse media roles and a Master's degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. Pratap has honed his skills in storytelling and reporting. He began his career in Northeast India, contributing to prominent platforms like The Sentinel, India Today NE, and EastMojo. Later, he transitioned to writing for RT’s international website, focusing on India-centric stories.

A lifelong tennis enthusiast, Pratap’s journey into tennis journalism stems from a deep-rooted love for the sport that began in his school days. At Sportskeeda, he channels this passion into covering tennis, offering readers a mix of match analysis, player profiles, and unique takes on the sport’s evolving dynamics.

Pratap stays updated by religiously watching Tennis TV highlights and tracking the latest developments on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). He values accuracy and ethics, relying on credible sources like BBC and The Guardian to ensure his content is both trustworthy and engaging.

Among his career highlights are interviews with local politicians, environmentalists, and athletes during his tenure with various media outlets. Now, writing about tennis is a milestone that aligns his professional expertise with his personal passion.

Pratap admires Novak Djokovic for his resilience and ability to thrive under pressure. His favorite event is Wimbledon, a tournament he reveres for its unmatched legacy and prestige. Off the court, he enjoys music, cinema, and reading, pursuits that enrich his perspective as a storyteller.

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Edited by Luke Koshi