Gauff urgently revamped her coaching staff before the US Open, joining forces with Sabalenka’s distinguished biomechanics expert.

As the 2025 US Open singles event draws near, world No. 3 Gauff’s training sessions have featured a striking presence — the well-known biomechanics coach Gavin McMillen. Having previously helped current world No. 1 Sabalenka reshape her serve technique and ultimately secure her first Grand Slam title, McMillen is now working closely with Gauff, a move widely seen as a crucial strategic adjustment by Gauff’s team ahead of the US Open.

Gauff’s coaching changes are no coincidence. Since winning her second Grand Slam title at the French Open this year, her recent form has fluctuated. Early exits at Wimbledon and a quarterfinal finish in Cincinnati revealed significant struggles with her serve, marked by increased double faults and reduced serve power. In six North American hard court warm-up matches before the US Open, she committed a total of 69 double faults, averaging 11.5 per match.

Meanwhile, with Swiatek’s victory in Cincinnati, Gauff’s world ranking slipped from second to third. This means she could face Swiatek or Sabalenka as early as the US Open semifinals. In such a challenging scenario, enhancing the consistency and threat of her serve has become an urgent priority.

McMillen’s reputation is built on blending science with practical application. After six months collaborating with Sabalenka, he achieved remarkable results by thoroughly optimizing her serve’s biomechanical efficiency, directly helping the Belarusian star break through her Grand Slam barrier. His addition signals Gauff’s team’s determination to find rapid technical solutions.

This adjustment also involves other personnel changes. Matt Daly, who previously coached Shapovalov, has confirmed his departure from Gauff’s team. Daly joined last fall and helped Gauff secure titles at the China Open and the WTA Finals. The split was amicable, with Daly stating publicly, “Only good things to say about Coco, it was a pleasure working with her.”

Meanwhile, longtime coach John-Christophe “JC” Faurel, who has been with the team since 2019, remains in place. This combination of “veteran stability paired with expert problem-solving” reflects the team’s strategy to seek breakthroughs while maintaining a solid foundation.

Gauff’s changes quickly received endorsements from top industry experts. Rick Macci, former coach of Serena Williams, publicly expressed his support on social media:“Corey Gauff (Coco’s father) made the best decision of his life for her. Hiring Gavin McMillen can swiftly fix the issue and make her serve smoother. The guidance she’ll receive will be completely different from before. He understands the problem and is familiar with joint angles and soft tissue.”Macci’s comment hits the mark, emphasizing the unique value biomechanics experts bring to solving specific technical problems. They offer perspectives and solutions grounded in human movement science that differ from traditional tennis coaching.

With the US Open starting soon, whether Gauff and McMillen’s collaboration can yield quick results will be a major storyline. Even slight improvements in the serve could prove decisive in the highly competitive later rounds of a Grand Slam.

All eyes will be on Gauff’s first match at Flushing Meadows to see if her serve becomes smoother, stronger, and more consistent. If successful, she will gain confidence to challenge the dominance of Swiatek and Sabalenka; if not, her US Open campaign may face serious challenges once again.Regardless, proactively seeking change before a major tournament demonstrates Gauff and her team’s champion mindset — a relentless pursuit of excellence and refusal to settle.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Mei)