Familiar issues plagued Coco Gauff when she crashed out of the Australian Open last month.
The 20-year-old had a strong start to 2025 but could not get past the quarterfinals in Melbourne — and Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rick Macci knows exactly why.
The 2023 US Open champion came to Melbourne in red-hot form after winning the United Cup with Team USA a week prior and winning the WTA finals in Riyadh in November.
A strong start Down Under saw Gauff storm into the last eight where she faced Paula Badosa, a former world No.2 who was also playing great tennis.
However, after 41 unforced errors against the Spaniard, Gauff’s time in Melbourne would end as she made it impossible to gather any rhythm in an already difficult match.
This is not the first time issues with her serve have caused her to be eliminated from a major.
Gauff was knocked out in the third round of the US Open in September last year when she hit 19 double faults – including 11 in one set alone – in a loss to Emma Navarro.
A month later in Wuhan, the American capitulated in a match in a loss to Aryna Sabalenka, hitting 21 double faults despite being a set and 4-2 up.
Nevertheless, it is abundantly clear that when her serve is in good shape, Gauff can beat any tennis player in the world.
According to Macci, once she irons those issues out, she can become the world’s best.
“Coco has untapped potential and can get to number one and most of all stay there,” Macci, the ex-coach of former world No.1 and 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams, said on X.
“If second serve becomes an asset and forehand become her best shot.”
Macci went on to explain that she has the capability to make her speed faster, something that will be vital to compete at the top level.
“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,” the retired coach added.
The 20-year-old Gauff has enjoyed recent wins over the current world No.1 and Sabalenka and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
The American currently stands at world No.3, and so is not far from the top spot in the WTA rankings.
Gauff will return to tennis in Doha at the Qatar Open and will start in the second round as she received an automatic bye as the third seed.
The American has only played one match there and lost, so will no doubt hope to extend her stay by making a deep run this time.
After Doha, the second WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai awaits Gauff, before the hard-court swing ends in Miami ahead of the clay season.