Renowned tennis coach Rick Macci, who famously guided the careers of Serena and Venus Williams, has voiced his strong belief that 20-year-old Coco Gauff has the potential to reach the pinnacle of women’s tennis. With a ranking of World No. 3, Gauff is already a formidable presence on the WTA Tour, showcasing both consistency and the raw talent needed to challenge the best. Despite occasional struggles with her game, particularly in high-pressure situations, Macci is confident that the young American has what it takes to become the World No. 1, praising her athleticism, resilience, and strategic mindset.
### **Coco Gauff’s Rise in the WTA Rankings**
At just 20, Gauff has made an impressive impact on the WTA Tour, earning her place among the sport’s elite. Currently ranked third in the world, she trails only Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka. Her ranking reflects not only her individual match victories but also her deep runs in major tournaments. This season alone, she captured a WTA 1000 title—one of the most prestigious outside the Grand Slams—and reached two Grand Slam semi-finals. Her performances have firmly established her as one of the most consistent and dangerous competitors in the women’s game.
Despite her youth, Gauff possesses a maturity on the court that many veterans struggle to match. Her tactical intelligence allows her to exploit her opponents’ weaknesses, while her athleticism makes her a threat in extended rallies. According to Rick Macci, these traits, combined with her outstanding backhand, give Gauff the tools to dominate the women’s game in the years to come.
### **Strengths that Set Gauff Apart**
One of Gauff’s most talked-about attributes is her agility and speed. According to Macci, her quickness is unmatched in the women’s game, giving her the ability to track down seemingly unreachable shots and turn defense into offense. He recently emphasized that Gauff’s “overall quickness is number one,” highlighting her explosive ability to recover and adapt during rallies. Her lateral movement, agility, and court coverage allow her to extend points and force errors from even the most powerful opponents.
Another area where Gauff shines is her backhand, widely regarded as one of the best on the WTA Tour. Her two-handed backhand is not only consistent but also versatile, enabling her to dictate play from the baseline, defend effectively, and attack with precision. This shot has become a crucial weapon in Gauff’s arsenal, allowing her to transition from defense to offense seamlessly, keeping her opponents on the back foot.
In addition to her backhand, Gauff’s mental toughness stands out. Macci has praised her “backbone,” noting her ability to remain focused and determined, even when under pressure. Her resilience and fighting spirit have seen her bounce back from challenging situations, such as clawing her way into semi-finals after early-set losses or overcoming setbacks to turn matches in her favor. This inner strength is reminiscent of the determination that characterized Serena and Venus Williams during their ascent to the top of the tennis world.
### **Gauff’s Serve and Forehand: Areas for Improvement**
While Gauff’s athleticism, backhand, and tactical intelligence are clear strengths, she has also faced criticism regarding her serve and forehand—two areas that have been problematic, especially under pressure. Her serve, in particular, has let her down in crucial moments, costing her victories in high-stakes matches. In the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open against Aryna Sabalenka, Gauff’s serve fell apart at a critical juncture, leading to a 6-1, 4-6, 4-6 defeat. Despite a dominant opening set, she ended the match with a staggering 21 double faults, a clear indication that her serving mechanics require refinement.
Rick Macci, however, remains optimistic about these challenges. He believes Gauff’s serve can be improved swiftly, stating that her second serve issues could be “fixed in less than one hour” with the right adjustments. He emphasized the importance of biomechanical changes, suggesting that a few technical tweaks could dramatically reduce her double faults and increase her serving consistency. Macci’s confidence in Gauff’s potential to fix her serve highlights his faith in her ability to evolve and overcome obstacles.
As for her forehand, Gauff has shown improvement, but it still lacks the consistent depth and power that characterize her backhand. In high-pressure situations, her forehand can sometimes become a liability, leading to unforced errors or short balls that opponents can easily attack. Yet, Gauff has worked diligently to strengthen this aspect of her game, recognizing that a more reliable forehand could make her an even greater force on the tour.
### **Macci’s Confidence in Gauff’s Future**
Despite these challenges, Macci’s faith in Gauff’s potential to reach the top of the rankings is unwavering. He has been vocal on social media, predicting that it’s only a matter of time before Gauff ascends to World No. 1. On X (formerly Twitter), he praised her slice serve on the deuce court and lauded her overall physical and mental attributes, indicating that her unique skill set positions her as a future leader of women’s tennis. “Coming soon to a court near you,” Macci declared with confidence, “Coco Gauff will be number one.”
Macci’s predictions are not to be taken lightly. As a USPTA Hall of Fame coach who played a crucial role in shaping the early careers of Serena and Venus Williams, he has a deep understanding of what it takes to reach the highest echelons of tennis. His endorsement of Gauff suggests that she possesses qualities similar to those that propelled the Williams sisters to greatness.
### **Learning from Setbacks and Looking Forward**
Coco Gauff’s journey to the top has not been without its share of setbacks, but each challenge has provided her with valuable lessons. Her losses in major tournaments have highlighted the areas she needs to improve, while her victories have shown the incredible potential she holds. Gauff’s determination to learn and adapt is a promising sign for her future. She has consistently demonstrated a willingness to refine her game, work on her weaknesses, and push herself to new heights.
As the 2024 season draws to a close, Gauff’s focus will likely turn to fine-tuning her serve and continuing to enhance her forehand. With the guidance of her coaching team and the support of mentors like Rick Macci, she has the opportunity to address these areas and return stronger next season. If she can conquer her remaining vulnerabilities, Gauff will undoubtedly be a serious contender for the World No. 1 spot, potentially ushering in a new era of dominance in women’s tennis.
### **The Road to World No. 1**
The trajectory of Gauff’s career is reminiscent of the early stages of Serena and Venus Williams’ rise to prominence—an inspiring combination of raw talent, relentless determination, and a commitment to self-improvement. With Macci’s backing and her own intrinsic drive, Gauff is not only a future contender for World No. 1 but also a symbol of the next generation of tennis stars. Her journey is still unfolding, but the signs are clear: Coco Gauff has the weapons, the mindset, and the tenacity to make history.
Tennis fans around the world will be watching closely as Gauff continues her ascent, eager to see if she can turn her potential into reality and follow in the footsteps of the legends who came before her.