Coco Gauff has taken the tennis world by storm in her recent success at tournaments like China Open and WTA Finals Riyadh; leading her team to triumph at United Cup; all while making significant coaching team changes: in September Gauff parted ways with Brad Gilbert for Matt Daly to join their coaching circle; since this decision Matt Daly’s influence appears to have helped transform Gauff’s game further – prompting some to speculate he might be behind her transformation!
Gauff is clearly making strides under her new coach and mentor Jean-Christophe “JC” Faurel since Gilbert left, which are evident during an exhibition match prior to the 2025 Australian Open when her serve topped 200kph (125mph). When complimented on it by Lleyton Hewitt – her response being: “Thanks. I’ve been working on it.” – it not only showed commitment but also highlighted their coaching duo of Daly and JC working hard on different aspects of Gauff’s game that seems fruitful!
Gauff’s own words reflect a highly productive collaboration with her coaches. She highlighted how JC has substantially improved her footwork and shot selection, while Daly has honed the technical aspects of her play, particularly her serve. This multifaceted approach has also been recognized by Gauff’s competitors, including Iga Swiatek, signaling a significant enhancement in her performance. Gauff’s rivalry with Swiatek saw a dramatic shift at the WTA finals and the United Cup, challenging the previously lopsided head-to-head record in Swiatek’s favor. A look at Gauff’s recent statistics reveals a marked improvement in her serve, with a notable decrease in double faults compared to the previous year, further evidence of Daly’s positive impact on her game.
Gauff attributed her decision to change coaches to improving various elements of her game, especially her serve. Their partnership appears successful as evidenced by Gauff’s increased optimism and sense of optimism ahead of competing at Australian Open this month.
Combining Maturity with Confidence at the Australian Open
Coco Gauff has consistently displayed maturity and prowess on the court that belies her young age, accomplishing feats many players only dream about achieving. Enhancements made to her game with guidance from coaches has strengthened even further her confidence on court. Gauff is delighted with her strong start to the year and believes this confidence will enable her to perform at her best, particularly as she sets her sights on reaching Australia Open this year. Gauff has approached competition with an even keel, maintaining a holistic perspective rather than dwelling solely on individual events. This strategy has reduced pressure to play freely while upholding her consistent level of brilliance. As Australian Open 2019 unfolds, all eyes will be upon Gauff to witness whether she can continue her dominating performances and add yet another prized trophy to her resume.