At just 21, Coco Gauff has already etched her name into tennis history, but her journey to the pinnacle of the sport is far from over. Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, recently voiced unwavering confidence in the young American’s potential to dominate women’s tennis, predicting she will claim “multiple Grand Slam titles” in the years ahead. His bold proclamation comes as Gauff navigates a 2025 season marked by electrifying highs and frustrating setbacks, with the tennis world buzzing about her untapped potential and the technical tweaks needed to unlock it.
Gauff’s 2023 US Open triumph, where she outlasted Aryna Sabalenka to claim her maiden Major at age 19, signaled her arrival as a global superstar. Since then, she has added titles like the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, becoming the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004, and led Team USA to victory at the 2025 United Cup, defeating Iga Swiatek in straight sets. Yet, her 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster. A quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open to Paula Badosa, followed by early losses in Qatar, Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami, exposed vulnerabilities, particularly in her second serve and forehand. These stumbles have drawn scrutiny, but Macci remains steadfast in his belief that Gauff’s best days lie ahead.
“Coco has untapped potential and can get to number one and most of all stay there,” Macci declared on social media, emphasizing that refining her second serve and forehand could transform her into the WTA’s dominant force. He pinpointed her second serve as a critical flaw, noting, “Coco and her second serve can be fixed in less than one hour. Once that is biomechanically rewired… the mental game overall becomes bolder.” Her struggles were stark at the 2024 US Open, where 19 double faults contributed to a third-round defeat to Emma Navarro, and in Wuhan, where 21 double faults handed Sabalenka a comeback victory. Macci’s critique is not a condemnation but a roadmap, urging Gauff to harness her athletic gifts with technical precision.
Gauff’s athleticism is undeniable. Macci has lauded her as “the best pure athlete on the tour,” highlighting her “sprinter speed, bullet backhand, and a backbone made of granite.” Her ability to chase down seemingly impossible shots and outlast opponents mentally has drawn comparisons to Serena Williams, though Macci cautions against labeling her the “next Serena.” “There is only one Serena. But the same thread all three [Gauff, Serena, and Venus] share is how they stabilize under pressure,” he said, reflecting on their shared mental fortitude. Gauff’s resilience shone through in Riyadh, where she battled past Swiatek, Sabalenka, and Zheng Qinwen to claim the WTA Finals crown, proving she can topple the sport’s elite when her game clicks.
Despite recent setbacks, Gauff’s 2025 season stats—9 wins against 3 losses—underscore her competitiveness. Her switch to coach Matt Daly from Brad Gilbert signals a commitment to long-term growth, with Gauff herself acknowledging, “I’m working on things, and I might have to accept some losses because of it.” Rennae Stubbs, another former coach of Williams, has also championed Gauff’s potential, suggesting that keeping double faults below six per match could make her unstoppable. “She’s hitting the ball so well, she’s arguably the best mover on the tour,” Stubbs said, emphasizing that serve control is the key to unlocking consistent success.
As the clay season approaches, Gauff has a chance to reset. Her 2022 French Open final run and semifinal appearances in Rome and Roland Garros last year highlight her prowess on the surface. With semifinalist points to defend, the pressure is on, but Macci remains optimistic: “Around the corner from adversity and defeat will be a rock-solid Coco that will be hard to beat.” Gauff’s determination echoes this sentiment. After her Miami Open loss, she admitted, “It hasn’t been the last few weeks I wanted, but I’m trying to figure it out.” Her faith and work ethic, instilled by her parents and inspired by her idols Serena and Venus Williams, keep her grounded.
The tennis world awaits Gauff’s next chapter. Will she iron out her technical kinks to dominate the sport, as Macci predicts, or will her inconsistencies delay her ascent? With her youth, talent, and champion’s mentality, Gauff is poised to answer her critics with trophies. As Macci put it, “Time dictates greatness. Time never lies. Time is on her side.”