Rick Macci Predicts Coco Gauff’s Serve Will Become “One of the Best in Tennis History”

Coco Gauff’s recent performance improvements, particularly with her serve, have prompted former Serena Williams coach Rick Macci to predict she will develop one of the greatest serves in tennis history.

Gauff appointed biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan as her head coach prior to the US Open, focusing on correcting a serve that had produced 320 double faults in 48 matches. While she exited the US Open in the fourth round, Gauff has shown promising results in subsequent tournaments in Beijing and Wuhan. Notably, in her opening match at the Wuhan Open yesterday against Moyuka Uchijima, Gauff did not record a single double fault, firing five aces and achieving an 85% first serve percentage.

Macci shared his assessment on X, stating, “Coco now feels the mandatory biomechanical changes to her serve and already is delivering in combat. Before she got tips/advice, which was only a reaction to a symptom. Now she understands the origins/ culprits and has rewired the muscle memory. Before the double faults/first serves were a mystery, and we will see one of the best serves down the road in tennis history.” Gauff’s statistics at the Wuhan Open further support this, including a second serve win percentage of 82% against Zhang Shuai. You can find more information about the WTA tour and its players on the official website.

The 21-year-old’s coaching change appears to be paying dividends as she aims to finish the year strongly and prepare for a full season with MacMillan. Improved serving consistency is crucial for Gauff as she continues to compete at the highest levels of the sport and pursue further Grand Slam titles.

Gauff will continue her Wuhan Open campaign, with officials hopeful her improved serve will propel her deeper into the tournament.