Coco Gauff, the ATP World No. 3, has made a surprising pre-tournament switch by hiring biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan- the same coach credited with transforming Aryna Sabalenka from a power-hitting enigma into a three-time Grand Slam champion.
The move comes on the heels of a troubling stretch for Gauff, who hit a staggering 16 double faults in her recent straight-sets loss to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini at the Cincinnati Open. The serving woes were a red flag- and for Gauff, a tipping point.
Has it come too late for Coco Gauff?
In response, Gauff parted ways with grip specialist Matt Daly, who had played a key role in her French Open triumph just months ago. Now, the spotlight now falls on MacMillan- a Canadian technique guru whose anatomical approach to stroke mechanics helped Sabalenka unlock new levels of control and consistency, especially on her notoriously erratic serve.
“Improving technique during the grind of the WTA Tour is incredibly difficult,” MacMillan noted in an interview last year. “There’s very little time. But when done right, the results can be dramatic.”
Time is running out for Gauff. As the US Open looms, implementing biomechanical changes under pressure is a daunting task. Yet MacMillan has been working intensively with the 21-year-old on the practice courts- even in persistent rain- focusing on fluidity, weight shift, and racquet angles, particularly on her serve and forehand.
Gauff opens her US Open campaign against Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, a seasoned player currently ranked 84th in the world. While Gauff will be the heavy favorite, the matchup offers an immediate test of whether the technical tweaks are clicking- or if nerves and inconsistency might still linger.
Also Read: Coco Gauff’s Double Fault History: Will Serve Woes Spell Her Downfall
Will the risk pay off?
Tinkering with technique so close to a major is usually discouraged in tennis circles, where rhythm and repetition are sacrosanct. But Gauff’s decision reveals both a growing maturity and a desire to take her game beyond just flashes of brilliance. She’s already a Grand Slam champion- now she’s chasing consistency, dominance, and a legacy.
By turning to a coach who helped architect one of the most successful transformations in recent women’s tennis, Gauff is signaling that she’s not content to rely on talent alone.
It’s a risk, no doubt. But as the tennis world watches New York, one thing is certain: Coco Gauff is swinging for more than just another title- she’s swinging for greatness.
