Tennis coaching great Rick Macci has warned that Coco Gauff has “not even scratched the surface” of her potential and made two Grand Slam predictions involving the 19-year-old.
The American, who coached tennis legend Serena Williams, backed Gauff to win a Grand Slam on “every surface” and feels her major title tally could reach “double digits.”
Gauff was beaten 7-6(2), 6-4 by world No 2 and eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in Melbourne last week.
The world No 3 was bidding to reach her second final in as many Grand Slams after overcoming Sabalenka in three sets in the 2023 US Open final in September to secure her maiden major crown.
The 19-year-old won her first 10 matches of the 2024 season before her loss to the 25-year-old Belarusian, having defended her title in Auckland to begin her campaign
The American was a runner-up on the clay courts of Roland Garros at the 2022 French Open, where she lost in straight sets to Iga Swiatek.
Gauff’s best result to date on the grass courts of Wimbledon’s All England Club is reaching the last 16 – something she achieved in both 2019 and 2021.
In a post on Twitter / X, Macci expressed his belief that Gauff will build on her triumph on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows by winning majors on all three surfaces.
“During an interview [I] was asked about the future of the ‘Delray Dart’ @CocoGauff. The 19-year-old has not even Scratched the SURFACE as I feel she will win a Slam on Every SURFACE,” wrote the American.
In another recent tweet, the 69-year-old addressed how many majors Gauff could win: “Was asked how many Grand Slams @CocoGauff can win. Because I love her BACKBONE as much as her BACKHAND the Delray Dart could order double digits off the menu.”
Macci likened Gauff’s mentality to that of tennis great and 20-time major champion Roger Federer after the Australian Open.
“I love her motto, ‘No days off’. Coco’s only gonna get better. And what I really love, is she has the mindset like Roger Federer,” Macci told NBC News.
The American also lauded two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka for overcoming her double fault issues after her successful title defence in Melbourne.
“Sabalenka deserves so much credit. Any player that hits 428 double faults in 55 matches in 2022 and then wins the 2024 Australian open final with not one Double the rest of the tour is in Trouble,” Macci posted on Twitter.
Macci has worked with five players who achieved the world No 1 ranking in their careers: Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati and Andy Roddick. The 69-year-old also coached WTA Major champions Mary Pierce, Anastasia Myskina and Sofia Kenin.