At just 21 years old, Coco Gauff has already etched her name into tennis history as a Grand Slam champion and a beacon of American talent. Yet, the 2025 season has tested her resilience, with the young star facing a string of disappointing results. Despite these setbacks, Rick Macci, the renowned former coach of Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Andy Murray, has emerged as a vocal supporter, confidently predicting that Gauff will rise to claim “multiple Grand Slams” and potentially reclaim the world No. 1 ranking in the future.
Gauff’s 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster. Participating in six tournaments this year, she has yet to advance beyond the quarterfinals, a stark contrast to her meteoric rise in previous seasons. Her most recent stumble came at the Monte-Carlo Masters, where she faced a straight-sets defeat to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, 6-4, 6-3, in the quarterfinals. Earlier in the season, Paolini also ousted Gauff in the Stuttgart Open semifinals, underscoring the challenges Gauff has faced in maintaining consistency against top-tier opponents. These losses have sparked murmurs of concern among fans and analysts, with some questioning whether Gauff’s early success set unrealistic expectations for her young career.
However, Macci, a seasoned coach with a keen eye for talent, urges everyone to take a step back and breathe. In a series of passionate posts on social media, the 70-year-old coach emphasized Gauff’s enduring potential. “Coco will be fine. You never lose talent/athletic ability,” he wrote, framing her current struggles as part of the natural ebb and flow of a professional athlete’s journey. “This is a journey of winning/losing staggers/daggers. She will win multiple Grand Slams and be number one in the future. Everybody freaks out when you lose/struggle, but [if] you win, everybody loves to snuggle.” His words serve as a reminder that even the greatest champions endure periods of doubt before reclaiming their dominance.
Gauff’s talent is undeniable. At 19, she captured the 2023 US Open title, becoming the youngest champion in Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams. Her athleticism, powerful groundstrokes, and mental fortitude have drawn comparisons to the legends Macci once coached. Yet, the transition to clay and the relentless demands of the WTA Tour have exposed areas for growth. Gauff herself acknowledged the need for adaptation, recently making significant changes to her preparation for the clay season. Reflecting on her adjustments, she expressed optimism, stating, “I think it was a good decision.” Her willingness to evolve suggests a maturity beyond her years, a trait that Macci and others believe will propel her back to the top.
The tennis world is no stranger to prodigies facing turbulence. Serena Williams, whom Macci coached in her formative years, endured her own share of setbacks before cementing her legacy as one of the greatest of all time. Gauff’s current challenges, while frustrating, are not uncommon for a player navigating the pressures of fame, expectations, and the physical demands of a grueling sport. Macci’s confidence in Gauff stems from her rare combination of physical gifts and mental resilience, qualities that have already carried her to a Grand Slam title and a career-high ranking of No. 2.
As Gauff prepares for the clay season, including high-stakes tournaments like the French Open, all eyes will be on her ability to regroup and silence doubters. The support of veterans like Macci underscores the belief that her recent struggles are merely a chapter in a much larger story. With her talent, work ethic, and a team dedicated to her growth, Gauff is poised to overcome this rough patch and fulfill Macci’s bold prophecy. For now, as Macci advises, fans and critics alike should take a deep breath and trust in Coco Gauff’s boundless potential.