Coco Gauff 'on track for a huge year in 2026' says legendary coach
NewsFriday, 07 November 2025 at 09:00
Coco Gauff's 2025 season ended without a title defense at the WTA Finals, but it was another season in which she improved as a player.
Gauff is still only 21 years old, and yet, she will most likely finish the season inside the Top 3 on the WTA Tour for the third consecutive year. That is despite failing to defend her title at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she beat the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek last year to lift the trophy.
This year, the young American lost to compatriot Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka in the round-robin stage, so her win over Jasmine Paolini was not enough to reach the semi-finals.
Gauff still had a chance to make it to the semi-finals had she beaten Sabalenka in the last round-robin match of the competition. The 21-year-old was actually quite close to winning the first set of the match multiple times, as she led 4-2 and 40-15, 5-3, and then also 5-4 and 30-0 when serving for the match.
However, she then lost eight consecutive points, and suddenly, it was Sabalenka who enjoyed a 6-5 lead. Legendary coach Rick Macci, who worked with the likes of Serena and Venus Williams, watched the match and offered commentary after Gauff's loss.
"Coco was right here at 5-3 30-love against Sabalenka. This is a snapshot for the future. Her potential to get better is unlimited, and with a new, huge first serve and very few double faults, this changes her entire mental landscape. And most of all, it mows her opponent's landscape very differently."
Macci has mentioned Gauff's serve a lot in recent months. She now works with Gavin MacMillan, who should help the two-time Grand Slam champion to improve one of her biggest weaknesses.
The other Gauff's weakness is her forehand, which, according to Macci, could become one of her weapons in 2026 if she works on improving the stroke.
"Coco the track star is on the fast track for a huge year in 2026. Her serve will be a weapon, and hopefully, a new ATP forehand is coming, but still a mystery. If in the next 2 months she changes the take-back elbow position and takes the racquet to the outside, and it is well done, she will be on the inside track to number one."
Gauff's season is now over, which means she will have a couple of months to rest, recharge, and start her preparations for the upcoming season. She will be one of the favorites to win every Grand Slam tournament next year, as she is a versatile player who performs well on all surfaces.
Her loss at the WTA Finals also means a new champion will be crowned for the 10th consecutive time. Serena Williams won her fifth trophy in 2014, and since then, there have been nine different players who have won the WTA Finals. This year, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova, or Jessica Pegula will win their maiden title.
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