Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion and world No. 3, made headlines on August 20, 2025, by announcing a coaching shake-up ahead of the US Open, parting ways with Matt Daly and Jean-Christophe Faurel to team up with Gavin MacMillan. The move, reported by ESPN, aims to address persistent technical issues with her serve and forehand as she prepares for the Grand Slam starting August 24, 2025 (web:7, @AdamZagoria, post:0). Here’s everything you need to know about MacMillan, Gauff’s new coach, and what this change means for her US Open campaign.
Who Is Gavin MacMillan?
Gavin MacMillan, a South African-born coach based in Florida, is a respected figure in tennis, known for his work with junior and professional players. The 45-year-old founded the MacMillan Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and has a track record of developing young talent, including former top-100 player Ernesto Escobedo and rising junior Keaton Hance (web:7, web:13). MacMillan’s coaching philosophy emphasizes technical precision and mental resilience, drawing on his experience as a hitting partner for top players like Andy Roddick and Venus Williams in the early 2000s (web:16). His expertise in biomechanics has made him a sought-after coach for addressing specific technical flaws, such as Gauff’s second serve, which has a 48.5% win rate and led the WTA Tour with 430 double faults in 2024 (web:10).
Why the Change?
Gauff’s decision follows a turbulent 2025 season, marked by a French Open title but also a first-round Wimbledon loss to Dayana Yastremska and a 6-2, 4-6, 3-6 defeat to Jasmine Paolini in Cincinnati, where she averaged 9.2 double faults per match (web:9, web:10). Legendary coach Rick Macci warned that Gauff’s career was “at a crossroads” due to her serve and forehand issues, urging a “science-based plan” (@RickMacci, post:0). Rennae Stubbs criticized Gauff’s previous coaches for failing to fix her serve’s erratic ball toss, suggesting a tweak to hit “7 p.m. on the ball” for a better kick serve (web:13). MacMillan’s appointment aims to provide that technical overhaul, with his biomechanical focus seen as a perfect fit.
What to Expect at the US Open
MacMillan, who began working with Gauff after Cincinnati, is contracted through the US Open, with potential for a longer-term role if results improve (web:7). His immediate task is to stabilize Gauff’s second serve and forehand under pressure, areas exposed in her recent losses (web:16). Fans on X are optimistic, with one post stating, “Gavin MacMillan could unlock Coco’s potential! US Open title vibes” (@TennisFanUSA, August 20, 2025) (post:1). Gauff’s resilience, seen in her 2024 titles in Auckland and the WTA Finals, mirrors that of Emma Raducanu under new coach Francisco Roig or Luke Littler navigating darts scrutiny.
Broader Context
MacMillan’s low-profile approach contrasts with high-profile coaches like Brad Gilbert, whom Gauff worked with in 2023. His focus on juniors aligns with Gauff’s advocacy for youth development, evident in her $100,000 donation to HBCU tennis programs (web:15). As Gauff aims to reclaim her 2023 US Open glory, MacMillan’s technical expertise could be the key to overcoming her “alarming” issues, setting the stage for a defining moment in New York.
