Rick Macci believes Coco Gauff is not going anywhere after her 2024 Australian Open run ended in the semifinals while he likened the youngster mindset to that of 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.
Macci assessed that Gauff is only going to improve and lauded the American for having one of the best backhands on the tour as well as strong backbone.
The 19-year-old was knocked out by World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(2), 6-4 in the final four of the Australian Open last week. Gauff overcame Sabalenka in three sets in 2023 US Open final in last September to clinch her maiden Major title. She also registered a runner-up run at 2022 French Open where she lost to Pole Iga Swiatek.
Gauff was on a 10-match winning streak before her Australian Open semifinal loss against the Belarusian, having successfully defending her title in Auckland before entering Down Under.
Talking to NBC News, Macci was asked how he visualizes the World No. 3 progress in 2024 following the Australian Open.
“She’s not going anywhere, we talked about this before. She’s a teenager, one of the best backhands on the tour. But I actually like her backbone better than her backhand,” the American said.
“I love her motto, ‘No days off’. Coco’s only gonna get better. And what I really love, is she has the mindset like Roger Federer.”
The 69-year-old was also full of praise for Sabalenka’s game and highlighted the tuning of the 25-year old’s second serve as a vital improvement has made.
“First off, I love this player simply because she has more easy, liquid power off the ground than anybody in the world. But the main difference now, okay, if I back the truck up to 2022 – this young lady in 55 matches – hit 428 double faults,” the veteran coach said.
“There was Christmas presents and there wasn’t any Christmas going on. So she brought in a biomechanist, they put ‘humpty dumpty’ back together. And in the finals, bang, no double faults. When she’s not giving free points, she’s dangerous on any surface, anytime, against anybody.”
Macci has been involved with the careers of the five former WTA and ATP World No. 1’s including Jennifer Capriati, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Andy Roddick. He also worked with WTA Grand Slam winners Mary Pierce, Anastasia Myskina and Sofia Kenin as a coach.