Coco Gauff’s been having a bit of a rough go lately. Remember how she said, “I’m not crushed, but obviously it does feel bad when you feel like you’re playing great tennis for the better start of this year to lose, but it is what it is,” after that surprising early exit from the Australian Open last month? She’d been playing so well at the end of last year, winning the WTA Finals and the United Cup, so everyone had high hopes for her at the first major of 2025. But it just didn’t happen. She lost to Paula Badosa in the quarters, and then Doha didn’t go much better either. So, with Coco in a bit of a slump, who’s stepped in to offer some advice? None other than Serena Williams’ childhood coach, Rick Macci!

Following her downfall in Melbourne, Gauff hoped to make a comeback at the Qatar Open earlier this week. She even got a Bye, ensuring her a direct entry in the second round. However, the 2023 US Open winner couldn’t capitalize on this opportunity. In the R32, Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk beat her 6-2, 7-5 in straight sets. Seeing Gauff’s struggles with her performance at the start of the season, Hall of Famer and legendary coach Rick Macci took to X and reflected on what the youngster can really do in order to make a promising return.

He explained that “For Coco to be the best she can be going into the lab and receiving a science based blueprint,” using which she “can expedite the learning curve and bulletproof her career as she is going to correct the REAL origin of the problem not a symptom and know Exactly how to flip the script.”

Since the QF round of the Australian Open, Gauff hasn’t won a WTA match. She’s been on a two-match losing streak so far. She will hope not to make it three in-a-row at the Dubai Duty Free Championships next week. In her next appearance, she will be seeded 3rd among the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina.

As far as her previous record at the tournament is concerned, it’s not totally bad. Speaking of just the last two appearances, she managed to reach the semifinal stage in 2023. However, Iga Swiatek ousted her in straight sets before she could step into the final. Then last year, she stretched her journey till the quarterfinals. She even took a lead in the first set against Anna Kalinskaya. But the latter eliminated her with a final score line of 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.

But this isn’t the first time Macci has shared his thoughts on Gauff’s form this season. In fact, just last week, the iconic tennis coach had praised the 2024 WTA Finals winner. So what did he say about her?

Rick Macci believes Coco Gauff can snatch the “number one” position

While she may have lost an opportunity to win the Australian Open last month, the former ATP pro still believes Coco Gauff has got vast talent. In a post on X, dated February 3, he wrote, “Coco has untapped potential and can get to number one and most of all stay there. If second serve becomes an asset and forehand become her Best shot.” Continuing further, he added, “Her first serve SOMEDAY can hit 130 mph as she continues to tweak. Make up speed is as good as the sport has ever seen.”

Ahead of her Qatar Open R2 match, Gauff sat down for an interview. Sharing her thoughts on becoming the No. 1 in 2025, the 20-year-old said, “I think just improving and seeing where it goes. For me, the points thing is just, first of all, too mathematical. I don’t know how people come up with all these different scenarios. Like it’s pretty impressive.”

“But yeah, I think I just focus on trying to win, and you know the ranking comes with it, so just trying to do my best to win, and obviously, the goal would be to be No. 1, that would be awesome, but it’s not something that I’m like looking or checking every week to see how far I am from it.”

It will be intriguing to see how Gauff’s campaign turns out this time. Do you think she can change her fortunes with a title win in Dubai? Let us know in the comments below.