Coco Gauff Explains Her Unexpected Coaching Shake-Up Ahead Of US Open

Friday, 22 August 2025 at 23:45

byErik Virostko

Coco Gauff changed her team quite unexpectedly ahead of the 2025 US Open, and she explained her decision during her pre-tournament press conference.

Gauff has worked with two coaches for the past few years. Jean-Christophe Faurel is someone who has been a constant in the American's team, but he has already worked alongside Brad Gilbert, Matt Daly, and now Gavin MacMillan.

The 21-year-old parted ways with Daly ahead of the US Open and hired MacMillan, who is a biomechanics expert. He previously worked with Aryna Sabalenka and helped her fix her serving issues.

During her pre-tournament press conference, Gauff was asked about this unexpected change, and admitted that it was a bit unexpected for her, too, as it was a sudden decision after she saw that MacMillan became available.

"It was a very sudden decision. Gavin became available. I just felt this was the best decision for my game, at least, and I had to go with what I was feeling. Matt, I think Matt is a great coach and a great person, and 100% love working with him."

"We obviously had a very successful partnership, but I'm just looking at long term. I know Gavin has had experience with this before so, hoping I can just take on his knowledge and see what can happen."

Gauff is not concerned about the timing of her coaching change

Gauff was asked about the timing of her coaching change. She appointed a new coach just days ahead of the last Grand Slam tournament of the season, which is something not many players would be willing to do.

However, the two-time singles Grand Slam champion maintained that for her, she wants to be at her best anywhere she is, so she made the change because she believes it can help her in the long term, without looking at the timing specifically.

"I mean, a tournament is a tournament. I hate losing regardless of where I am. If this was a 250, I would feel just as crazy to do it. I felt this was a good opportunity. I don't have that many points to defend, honestly, in this part of the season."

"I'm one of those people, I'm looking at long term. I hope I can get it all together - I think I'll play either Monday or Tuesday - by then. If not, I have the rest of this year to work on it. But I do know I needed to make a change, technical change to it, and I don't want to waste time continuing doing the wrong things."

Gauff details how the new coach MacMillan reacted to the sudden appointment

Gauff was also asked whether her new coach was surprised by the timing of the coaching change. He, too, knows that starting to work with someone ahead of a Grand Slam is challenging, but according to the WTA World No. 3 player, her new coach is not concerned.

MacMillan is not a newbie. He is a very experienced coach, and as such, he is also confident in his own abilities.

"No, he's a confident person. Also, I mean, obviously, there is pressure on both of us. But at the same time, I mean, I'm not thinking about the outside opinions. I'm not thinking about that. I'm doing what's best for my game."

"I feel as an athlete I can be, 'Yeah, I won French Open, made two finals back to back, quarters of Australia.' I can be, 'Okay, I'm doing fine and continuing playing the way that I'm playing.' But I know where I want to see my game in the future. I'm not going to waste time playing the way I don't want to play."

Gauff will have a chance to showcase the changes made in her first-round match at the US Open. She will take on Ajla Tomljanovic, who is an experienced player.