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Acclaimed tennis coach Rick Macci lauded American Coco Gauff after her 6-4, 6-4 win over Iga Swiatek. Gauff's victory helped the US win the United Cup, but more importantly saw her take five out of five wins in her singles matches at the tournament, with the Australian Open one week away.
Macci is the seven-time USPTA national coach of the year, and USPTA Hall-of-Famer, who notably coached Venus and Serena Williams, Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova. A respected voice in the world of tennis, Macci has no doubts about Gauff's future ambition to annex the World No. 1 spot. He said:
"Confidence breeds confidence. She always had that in her back pocket but now shifted to her front pocket and Coco will launch like a rocket. Number one around the corner."
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High praise indeed, given Macci's knowledge and standing in the game.
Coco Gauff can improve on her World No. 3 ranking in 2025
Coco Gauff is currently ranked No. 3 in the WTA rankings. Her United Cup win over Swiatek, who is ranked one place above, is her second victory in a row over the Pole. A strong showing at the Australian Open in Melbourne will move Gauff closer to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, and to proving Rick Macci correct in his assessment of her future prospects.
It could be said that the 20-year-old Gauff has under-achieved since bursting onto the scene at the Miami Open in 2019 at just 15, and in the same year overcoming Venus Williams to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon. She finally found some success with her 2023 US Open victory, to date her only grand slam win.
Gauff reached World No. 2 in June 2024 but the title of World No. 1 has eluded her. She progressed to the Australian Open semifinals last year but was handily beaten in straight sets by eventual winner Sabalenka. Recent results suggest that she's physically and mentally prepared for the new major season ahead.
Gauff is a proven hard court specialist and won her major on that surface, so should flourish in Melbourne. Coach Macci has identified a new confidence in her game after her United Cup exploits, and if he's correct, World No. 1 could be within Coco Gauff's grasp before the end of the year.
