Coco Gauff dismisses 2025 season after US Open exit, but Serena Williams’ ex-coach has an important warning for her
Coco Gauff’s 2025 season, highlighted by a French Open title and a WTA Finals crown, took a hit with her fourth-round exit at the US Open on September 1, 2025, losing 6-3, 6-2 to Naomi Osaka at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 21-year-old American, ranked World No. 3, admitted disappointment in her post-match press conference, stating, “It’s disappointing. For sure, it was not the level that I wanted to bring,” but praised Osaka’s commanding performance, noting, “She forced me to earn every point.” Gauff, who led the WTA with 311 double faults in 2025, struggled with her serve, a persistent issue despite recent coaching changes. Her focus shifted to the Australian Open, dismissing the remainder of the 2025 season, saying, “I’m going to do a training block from now until Beijing” to prepare for 2026.
Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, issued a critical warning against Gauff’s decision to scale back her 2025 schedule. In a post on X, Macci argued, “Asked if Coco should shut it down the rest of the year and focus on the technical issues that bubble up under pressure. 100% SHE SHOULD NOT. Coco has had a great year with titles and a Slam. Sometimes when you try to solve a problem you create a different one.” He emphasized maintaining her momentum, warning that over-focusing on technical fixes, particularly her serve and forehand, could disrupt her game. Macci, who coached Williams in the 1990s, believes Gauff’s athleticism and mental toughness—evident in her 38-13 record and titles at the United Cup and French Open—should keep her competing rather than retreating to fix mechanics.
Gauff’s serve has been a focal point of critique. After hiring biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan before the US Open to overhaul her service motion, she still recorded 10 double faults in her first-round win over Ajla Tomljanovic. Macci suggested in a *ProFootballNetwork* post that her serve is an “easy fix” with a refined throwing action, while her forehand could become a weapon with an ATP-style grip adjustment. However, he cautioned against drastic changes mid-season, noting, “Coco will be fine because she is cut from a different cloth.” Gauff’s resilience shone through in her optimistic outlook, as she told *SportsCenter*, “I realized how much the girls on tour are being successful at 25, 26… If I have four more years of just working as hard as I am right now, where my game could be.”
While Gauff eyes a long-term approach, Macci’s warning underscores the risk of sidelining her competitive edge. Her 2025 achievements, including a French Open win over Aryna Sabalenka and a WTA Finals title against Qinwen Zheng, position her as a top contender, but her US Open exit highlights ongoing technical challenges. Balancing growth and competition will be key as she prepares for 2026.
