Serena Williams' ex-coach sends message to Coco Gauff about dealing with pressure & expectations

Serena Williams' former coach Rick Macci, a longtime cheerleader of American hope Coco Gauff, had a few words of advice for the World No. 3 before she launches her bid for a first Australian Open title. The 20-year-old is set to lock horns with compatriot and former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin on Monday.

Taking to X, Macci advised Gauff on how to deal with expectations and pressure.

"Pressure and expectations is an opportunity to go to another level and it is all how you frame it in your own mind," Macci wrote, tagging Gauff in the post. "He can be your best friend ever or your worst nightmare."

Macci underlined that how a player deals with the conundrum depends on the "choice" they make.

His advice to Gauff comes days after he said that the American would soon climb to the top of the WTA rankings. After her impressive showing at the recently-concluded United Cup, Macci wrote:

"Confidence breeds confidence. She (Gauff) 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."

Last year in October, the veteran coach had predicted that Coco is set to win multiple majors in her career as "time is on her side."

"Time dictates greatness. Time never lies. Time is on her side. With her sprinter speed bullet backhand and a backbone made of granite and lets plug in that extreme DNA athletic ability Coco Gauff in Time will Time and Time again be a multiple Grand Slam Champion," Macci wrote on X.

Gauff is seen as one of the pre-tournament favorites at the Australian Open after her remarkable success at the season-opening United Cup.

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Coco Gauff has started her 2025 season with a bang

Coco Gauff at a 2025 United Cup trophy shoot - Source: Getty

Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz led the US team to its second triumph at the mixed-team United Cup event to begin the year. Gauff was especially instrumental in the triumph, winning each of her five singles matches.

In the final, she got the better of her long-time nemesis Iga Swiatek to hand the US a crucial 1-0 advantage. Fritz later sealed the victory with a victory over Hubert Hurkacz in a tense three-set encounter.

Gauff has expressed optimism for a successful 2025 season following a 2024 that saw her clinch the prestigious WTA Tour Finals for the first time in her career. The American ended the season as the highest-paid female athlete in the world, as per Forbes.

"We are so back," Coco wrote following her first match at the United Cup. "New szn, better me."

Ahead of her first match at the Australian Open, Coco Gauff was seen practicing with two-time champion and former No 1 Victoria Azarenka.