Coco Gauff backed to win ‘multiple Grand Slams’ as Serena Williams’ ex-coach comes to her defence

Oli Dickson Jefford 20 Apr 2025 10:23 AM

Coco Gauff and Rick Macci.

Acclaimed coach Rick Macci has stated Coco Gauff “will win multiple Grand Slams and be number one” as he defended the world No 4 following her latest defeat.

Gauff was beaten 6-4, 6-3 by world No 6 Jasmine Paolini in the quarter-final of the WTA Stuttgart Open on Friday, despite holding an early break leading in the opening set.

The 21-year-old’s serve has been under immense scrutiny in recent months and again proved a significant issue in her loss to Paolini, being broken five times across the match.

Gauff ended 2024 on a major high, lifting both the China Open and WTA Finals titles, before guiding the USA to the United Cup title back in January.

However, her form since then has wavered, with the world No 4 having failed to reach a WTA-level semi-final since her run to the title in Riyadh.

Gauff’s serving struggles have been criticised by several leading pundits and commentators, though she has now found a welcome voice of defence in Macci, a former coach of the Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova.

In a series of posts on Twitter/X, the legendary coach claimed that Gauff had “genetic qualities better than any player” – and claimed that she would be “fine” in the long run.

He posted: “Coco will be fine. You never lose talent/athletic ability.

“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.

“Know her game inside out. Know what is inside this champion. Coco has some genetic qualities better than any player. This is a fragile mental game and liabilities bubble up more when you lose that edge.

“Fine line between the W/L. The Delray track star will get back on track and track down many Slams in the future.

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“Everybody needs to take a deep breath as Coco will be fine. She is 21. She will go up and down for a while but will 100% go to another level and more in the future.

“Not tomorrow if you call balls and strikes daily. Before the sunshine/rainbow there is a rain/thunder.”

Gauff is currently 11th in the live WTA Race to Riyadh for 2025, though could be overtaken should results go against her in Stuttgart.

The American will look to turn around her form at the upcoming Madrid Open, which gets underway this coming week.

Gauff will be the fourth seed in the Spanish capital and will look to better last year’s run to the fourth round.