Coco Gauff’s Path to World No. 1: Rick Macci Breaks Down What’s Next
Coco Gauff’s meteoric rise on the WTA Tour has been nothing short of spectacular, and according to legendary coach Rick Macci, it’s only a matter of time before the 20-year-old American claims the No.1 ranking. With a Grand Slam title already in her collection and her game continuing to evolve, Gauff is closer than ever to reaching the pinnacle of women’s tennis.
But what will it take for her to surpass Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek at the top? Macci believes the answer lies in three key areas of her game.
Gauff’s Rapid Rise: A Star in the Making
Since turning professional in 2018, Gauff has made incredible strides, breaking into the Top 3 and proving herself as a major threat on tour.
🔹 Current WTA World No.3
🔹 10 WTA singles titles & 9 doubles titles
🔹 2024 US Open champion 🏆
🔹 2025 United Cup winner with Team USA
🔹 2025 Australian Open quarter-finalist
Her 2025 season is already off to a strong start, and with the clay and grass seasons ahead, she has prime opportunities to close the gap in the rankings.
Macci: Gauff Has ‘Untapped Potential’ to Dominate
Rick Macci—who famously coached Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova—sees Gauff as a future World No.1, but believes there’s still room to grow.
“Coco has untapped potential and can get to No.1—and most importantly, stay there,” Macci posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“If her second serve becomes an asset and her forehand becomes her best shot, she’ll dominate. Her first serve can hit 130 mph as she continues to tweak. Her make-up speed is as good as the sport has ever seen.”
What’s Holding Gauff Back from No.1?
Despite her all-around brilliance, Macci highlights two key weaknesses preventing Gauff from taking over the top ranking:
🔹 1️⃣ Second Serve
A vulnerability that aggressive returners can exploit, making it easier for them to take control of rallies.
🔹 2️⃣ Forehand
While solid, it lacks the consistency and dominance of her backhand, making it a target for top opponents under pressure.
‘Fixing Her Serve Takes Less Than an Hour’
Macci insists that Gauff’s second serve issue is an easy fix, claiming it could be completely transformed in just one training session.
“Coco’s second serve can be fixed in less than one hour,” Macci stated.
“Once that is biomechanically rewired and in the eye of the beholder, her mental game overall becomes bolder.”
If Gauff polishes her serve and forehand, Macci believes she won’t just reach No.1—she’ll dominate the tour for years to come.
‘Confidence Will Launch Coco Like a Rocket’
Another crucial factor in Gauff’s rise? Her growing confidence.
“Confidence breeds confidence,” Macci wrote.
“She always had that in her back pocket, but now, she’s shifted it to her front pocket. Coco will launch like a rocket. No.1 is around the corner.”
Her mental toughness and composure in big matches have already improved dramatically, especially after her 2024 US Open triumph. If she continues to build on that momentum, the top spot could soon be hers.
Gauff vs. Sabalenka & Swiatek: The Race for No.1
Sky Sports analyst Gigi Salmon sees Gauff as the biggest challenger to Sabalenka and Swiatek, but believes the Belarusian has the edge for now.
“Swiatek is going through a period of transition with a new team, and while I think Gauff is her closest challenger, I still think Sabalenka will hold everyone off,” she said.
What’s Next for Gauff?
With plenty of ranking points up for grabs in the coming months, Gauff has a golden opportunity to close the gap:
🔹 Clay Season – Can she conquer Roland Garros, where she was runner-up in 2022?
🔹 Grass Swing – A deep run at Wimbledon could be a game-changer.
🔹 Hard Court Season – Defending her US Open crown will be critical.
Can Gauff Become World No.1 in 2025?
If she sharpens her serve, strengthens her forehand, and maintains her confidence, Gauff has all the tools to take over the WTA throne.
Macci’s message is clear:
Coco Gauff isn’t just close to No.1—she’s destined for it. 🎯🔥
