In a surprising move just days before the 2025 US Open, two-time major champion and current world No. 3 Coco Gauff has terminated her coaching relationship with Matthew Daly. Gauff has chosen to retain her longtime coach, Jean-Christophe “J.C.” Faurel, while also bringing in biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan to enhance her performance. This decision comes after a summer marked by inconsistent serving, particularly during her recent matches.
Gauff was spotted practicing in New York with both Faurel and MacMillan on Wednesday. MacMillan is known for his work with top players, including a previous collaboration with the world No. 1, and has been credited by Gauff for improvements in her serve and forehand. Following a difficult period in 2022, where she struggled with the yips, MacMillan’s expertise is expected to provide the technical support Gauff needs as she heads into the tournament.
Challenges Leading Up to the US Open
Despite her successful track record this season, Gauff has faced challenges with her serve. During the Canadian Open, she recorded an alarming total of 42 double faults over just three matches. This inconsistency on serve has raised questions about her readiness for the upcoming Grand Slam. Gauff had previously hired Daly in 2024 to address her serving issues, focusing on grip changes and technical adjustments, which initially proved effective.
Under Daly’s guidance, Gauff achieved significant milestones, winning the China Open and concluding the season as the WTA Finals champion. This season, she also claimed the title at the French Open and reached the finals at both the Madrid Open and the Italian Open, both prestigious 1000-level events. Yet, her recent performance has been less than stellar, with only four singles wins across four tournaments since her Paris triumph, including an early exit at Wimbledon in July.
Daly has yet to publicly respond to Gauff’s decision but conveyed through tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg that he has “only good things to say about Coco” and enjoyed their time working together. As of now, Gauff has not addressed these changes within her coaching team.
Looking Ahead to the US Open
The main draw of the US Open is set to commence on September 3, 2025, in New York. Gauff, who is the reigning champion, is scheduled to participate in an exhibition event at Arthur Ashe Stadium on the evening of Thursday, August 31. As she prepares for this crucial tournament, the impact of her coaching changes remains to be seen, but her commitment to improving her game is evident.
As Gauff steps onto the court, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these recent adjustments influence her performance in pursuit of another Grand Slam title.
