When Coco Gauff stood atop the podium at the French Open, the WTA star was certain that she had just scratched the surface of what was going to be a successful campaign ahead. But, after Roland Garros, her rhythm had faltered, her serve shaken. The American faced a brutal first-round Wimbledon exit, then lost to Naomi Osaka at Flushing Meadows. But, earlier this month, when she came to China, she was ready to assert her dominance and concluded her campaign with a victory at the Wuhan Open. It turns out, teaming up with biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan sparked a shift. Now, as the WTA Finals approach, former pros rally behind Gauff’s fierce resurgence.

On October 20, in the latest episode of the Tennis Channel, host Dani Klupenger highlighted Coco Gauff’s impressive play during the Asian swing, noting her Wuhan triumph over Jessica Pegula and her semi-final exit at the China Open. “Is it the pressure being taken off of her now that there’s no more Grand Slams on the table?” Klupenger asked. Former American pro Tracy Austin nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that’s a really good point,” she said, acknowledging the unique mindset that can accompany the fall season.

Austin elaborated on Gauff’s approach to the final stretch of the year. “I think Coco does a great job in the fall of kind of taking the pressure off of herself. Three different seasons. She’s taken on a new coach, added a coach at this time of the year. And she kind of talks about, you know, I’m going to really work on my game and try to reset before the next season starts.”

Reflecting on Gauff’s Wuhan performance, Austin highlighted her resilience. “And so just like last year, she won a title in the fall before she actually went on to win the WTA Finals,” she said, drawing parallels between Gauff’s seasonal rhythm and her ability to peak at the right time.

Austin broke down the finals against Pegula. “This was Coco in Wuhan in the finals. She gets it. She was down five-three in that second set, and then was able to take four games in a row. That must have felt great. There’s such great friends. That’s got to be difficult, but what a great feeling to win her second title of the season after Roland Garros.”

Lindsay Davenport also shared her insights on Gauff’s progress. “Tried to get that confidence back up. She was a player where it was tough in the summer for her to watch her play in both Cincinnati and New York. And another player who just at that point of the year was struggling with a lot of expectations, a lot of pressure. She wanted to win a second major. You think that the pressure would have been off after Roland Garros?”

Davenport added that the pressure had the opposite effect during the summer. “It almost did the opposite for her. A lot of eyes on her at the US Open and trying to make technical changes. It’s been nice to see her play over in China a little bit more relaxed and not so worried about every little detail, just going out there to compete.”

She concluded with a forward-looking perspective. “And when you go into a big tournament like the WTA Finals and you’re relaxed and you’re confident, good things can happen.” 

Now, as Gauff gears up for the WTA Finals, tennis icons are advising her to focus on her weakest link, a targeted step that could spark her next big leap in 2026.

Rick Macci backs Coco Gauff for upcoming season

Coco Gauff’s serve has haunted her all season, proving costly at key moments. Her struggles were evident at the US Open, where inconsistency plagued her first deliveries. Over four matches, she committed 27 double faults before Naomi Osaka ended her run in the fourth round. The pattern repeated in Beijing, where she was defending champion. Against World No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, Gauff’s erratic serving unraveled quickly, and she was defeated in just 58 minutes, crashing hopes of a second-straight WTA 1000 trophy.

Yet, redemption arrived in Wuhan. Echoing her triumph from last year, Gauff captured another Masters title, proving her resilience and hinting that her season’s narrative isn’t finished. Her talent persists, even if her serve doesn’t always cooperate.

Legendary coach Rick Macci, who guided Serena Williams in her formative years, weighed in on the young American’s struggles. Speaking on X, he dissected what Gauff must do to fix her serve. “Coco now understand even more she has to rewire the forehand and have a science based ATP blueprint with have the racquet go to the Outside of the body and develop two pronations that go quicker faster but will be shorter. She can do it,” he wrote, tagging Gauff.

In a follow-up post, he shared his confidence in her long-term potential. “Her serve will become a weapon. If she unplugs this December does reconstructive surgery and rewires the muscle memory and learns the ATP forehand she will be able to hold the baseline and dictate instead of defend.”

The message was clear: with discipline and science-driven adjustments, Gauff can overcome her flaws and seize control of the court.

Now, all eyes turn to the WTA Finals. Can Gauff summon her resolve, master her serve, and turn a longstanding weakness into a defining strength? 

This is the moment that could redefine her trajectory.