Coco Gauff’s Fresh Start at the U.S. Open: A New Coach, A Familiar Stage, and All Eyes on Her Serve
When Coco Gauff steps onto the hard courts of New York this week, it won’t just be about another Grand Slam appearance. The 21-year-old American sensation has turned the page in her career with a coaching change that has people buzzing just as much as her tennis. Firing your primary coach before one of the biggest tournaments of the year? That’s a bold move. But then again, Gauff has never been afraid of big moments.
And now, as she gears up for her U.S. Open opener against Australian Ajla Tomljanović, the spotlight is as bright as ever.
A New Voice in the Corner
Let’s start with the coaching shake-up. Gauff made headlines when she split with Matt Daly, her long-time coach, and brought in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan. He’s not your traditional tennis coach—he’s a movement and body mechanics specialist, someone who understands how every small detail in an athlete’s motion can make or break performance.
Why the sudden switch? It all boils down to one word: serve.
Gauff has been a powerhouse on the court, but her serve has often betrayed her under pressure. Double faults, shaky starts, and second-guessing—those hiccups have sometimes overshadowed her athletic brilliance. MacMillan, however, has a track record of fixing exactly that. Fun fact: he’s worked with none other than Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, helping her rebuild her own serve. That ended up paying huge dividends for Sabalenka, and now Gauff is hoping lightning strikes twice.
The Big Stage Beckons
But here’s the thing: Gauff knows the U.S. Open stage. She’s not just another hopeful trying to break through. She’s already lifted the trophy here, stunning the tennis world in 2023 when she claimed her first Grand Slam title in New York. That victory wasn’t just about a championship; it was a moment that cemented her as the future of American tennis.
Fast forward to today, and she’s the No. 3 seed in the draw. That ranking brings expectations, but it also shows just how far she’s climbed since breaking onto the tour as a teenager.
Last year’s tournament wasn’t her best showing—she bowed out in the Round of 16—but let’s not forget what she’s done since. Just this summer, she pulled off another milestone, capturing the French Open crown in June by outlasting Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set battle. So, while her serve may still be a work in progress, her resume screams contender.
Round 1: A Battle with Ajla Tomljanović
Now, let’s talk about her opening match. Gauff faces Ajla Tomljanović, the unseeded Australian who knows how to push opponents into uncomfortable spots. These two have only met once before—at the Paris Olympics earlier this summer, where Gauff won convincingly in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0. That lopsided scoreline gives Gauff a mental edge, but tennis fans know every match is a new story.
And the early story in this one? Nerves.
Gauff dropped the first two games of the match and, once again, the serve looked shaky. It’s like the very thing everyone’s been talking about became her opening hurdle. But if you’ve followed Gauff at all, you know resilience is in her DNA. She regrouped, started dictating points, and went on a tear, winning six of the next eight games to snag the first set, 6-4.
That should’ve been enough to settle the nerves, but the second set had drama written all over it. Gauff built a lead, only to see Tomljanović rally back. Suddenly, the Australian had two set points. Most players would’ve cracked—but not Coco. She fought them off, dragged the set into a tiebreak, only to see it slip away 7-2.
At this point, the pressure was mounting. But champions do what champions do: they find another gear. Gauff bounced back in the deciding set, clawing her way to a 5-3 lead as the crowd roared behind her.
What’s at Stake?
For Gauff, this isn’t just about getting through Round 1. It’s about proving that the coaching change, the serve tweaks, and the mental adjustments are all moving her in the right direction. Fans and analysts will dissect every motion of her serve, looking for signs of progress. Did she cut down on double faults? Is the ball toss steadier? Does she look confident, or hesitant?
But let’s be clear: Coco Gauff is much more than one technical flaw. Her court coverage is electric, her forehand punishes opponents, and her ability to rally from tough situations has made her a fan favorite. Still, at the U.S. Open, with millions watching, little details become big stories.
Must-Know Details for Fans
For those ready to tune in:
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Match time: 7 p.m. ET
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How to watch: ESPN on TV, streaming available on ESPN+ and Fubo
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Opponent: Ajla Tomljanović (Australia)
If you’re a tennis fan, this is one of those can’t-miss first-round clashes—not because the matchup itself is a blockbuster, but because of what it represents for Gauff’s journey.
Why This Matters Beyond the Court
Gauff’s rise has been more than just athletic. She’s quickly becoming the face of a new generation in women’s tennis. Her maturity, poise in interviews, and fearlessness in speaking on issues outside of tennis have made her a role model far beyond the sport. And with Serena and Venus Williams no longer in the spotlight, the torch of American women’s tennis feels like it’s in her hands.
A win at this year’s U.S. Open would mark her second title in Flushing Meadows, putting her in elite company at just 21 years old. A loss, on the other hand, would spark tough questions about whether the coaching gamble paid off and how much time she’ll need to really fix the serve.
The Bottom Line
Coco Gauff’s journey at the 2024 U.S. Open is about much more than forehands and backhands. It’s about reinvention, resilience, and risk-taking. She’s already a Grand Slam champion, but she’s hungry for more—and she’s not afraid to shake things up to get there.
With Gavin MacMillan now guiding her, fans will be watching closely to see if the biomechanics magic translates into a steadier, more powerful serve. The rest of her game is already championship caliber.
So, as she takes the court in New York against Tomljanović, here’s what we know:
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She’s fearless.
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She’s evolving.
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And she’s got an entire country rooting for her.
Win or lose, Coco Gauff is the headline act—and the U.S. Open stage is exactly where she belongs.
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