The former coach of Serena and Venus Williams has every faith that Coco Gauff can become the World number one.
At just 20 years of age, the American is firmly established as one the WTA Tour’s best and most consistent players.
Coco Gauff is number three in the rankings and she has plenty of weapons to cause her opponents problems on court.
Though some of her weaknesses have been brutally exposed at times this season, Rick Macci, who previously coached the Williams sisters, thinks she has what it takes to reach the summit of the WTA rankings.
Despite Gauff’s struggles at times this season, she has claimed a WTA 1000 title, reached two Grand Slam semi-finals and sits behind Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in the rankings.
The American possess arguably the best backhand and movement in the game, which allows her to extend rallies longer than her peers and at times turn defence into attack.
But Macci, who is in the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Hall of Fame for his coaching accomplishments, thinks Gauff’s strengths along with her incredible resilience, can get her to the top of the game.
The issues have been with Gauff’s serve and forehand, and the former cost her victory against Sabalenka in Wuhan.
“Her overall quickness is number One. Her make up speed is number One,” the 69-year-old posted on X.
“Her backbone is number One. Her slice serve on the deuce court is number One. Coming soon to a court near you Coco Gauff will be number One. @CocoGauff.”
Gauff has not played since her crushing 6-1, 4-6, 4-6 loss to Sabalenka in the Wuhan Open semi-finals on October 12.
After a flawless opening set and first half of set two, Gauff’s serve deserted her and she finished with 21 double faults.
Following that match, Macci commented on Gauff’s serving woes, and claimed it would be an easy fix.
“Coco and her second serve can be fixed in less than one hour,” he wrote. “Once that is biomechanically rewired and that is in the eye of the beholder, the mental game overall becomes bolder.”