“Honestly, it’s been a bit of a struggle,” admitted former American tennis star Jack Sock when speaking about Coco Gauff after her 2025 US Open round of 16 exit at the hands of Naomi Osaka. And the main reason why, even as the World No. 3, Gauff continues to face challenges is because of her biggest flaw that she has yet to fix: “She’s got to find that serve,” added Sock. As if that advice wasn’t enough to remind the 21-year-old of her problem, in stepped Rick Macci to share his word of advice as well.

Yes, the very man who once coached 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams. Having come to notice of Coco Gauff’s struggles, Macci has expressed his belief that once she sharpens her serve, the youngster will certainly have what it takes to rise all the way to World No. 1.

Sharing his nugget of wisdom in a tweet he posted on X earlier today, Macci said, “Because Coco fights and can fly, she never says good bye. Her serve will become her best shot and she contend again for the number one spot. If she is reprogramed with the more compact explosive ATP FOREHAND, the Delray Dart will be number one in the land. @CocoGauff.”

Coco Gauff’s struggles with her serve have been no secret, keeping her in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. In an attempt to address the issue, she even parted ways with her coach, Matt Daly, turning to Gavin MacMillan—a biomechanics expert alongside Jean-Christophe Faurel – credited with helping Aryna Sabalenka repair her serve. “I’m not gonna waste my time playing the way I don’t wanna play,” she explained.

Well, part of that decision stems from the remarks made by tennis legend Rennae Stubbs, who, during her appearance on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis podcast, also weighed in on Gauff’s serving struggles. While praising the many great things Gauff has been doing as a rising star, Stubbs said, “But my God, like her serve, I don’t understand why now she has literally two coaches. Nothing has changed on her serve…like the ball toss is so far ahead of her on the second serve.”

Heck, even Coco Gauff herself is aware of her flaws. While it makes her one of the few athletes who openly acknowledge their flaws, it’s hard to ignore the 320 double faults she has racked up this season. “I know I probably won’t be ever double fault-free, but if I could get that to 2 per cent, 3 per cent, it would make a big difference in just making these matches a lot easier,” she remarked earlier.

Either way, as Gauff trains under MacMillan with a clear focus on fixing this weakness, Rick Macci believes that’s exactly how she will be able to tread on her path to the top. In fact, the former gaffer of Serena Williams isn’t alone in having this food for thought.

Coco Gauff has ‘lots of time’ to figure out her serve!

Shortly after her US Open upset against Naomi Osaka, former American tennis star Steve Johnson vocally stated in the Nothing Major Podcast about how Coco Gauff’s issues with her serve have had a ripple effect on the rest of her game. He explained that when a player struggles to serve consistently, as Gauff has, it places added pressure on other areas like the forehand, backhand, and movement—eventually leading to a breakdown on court.

Even so, Johnson stressed that not all hope is lost. “She’s going to figure it out. She won a slam this year, she’s still three in the world—lots of time left for her,” said the 35-year-old, backing the 2x Grand Slam winner to take her time and improve on it as much as she can. As for her drive for improvement, it was something that Gauff was asked about ahead of the US Open, whether it was innate or something that came with experience and success. The World No. 3 was clear: “No, I’ve always been like that.”

“For me, I just wanna get better. I’m obsessed with the process of getting better,” she acknowledged before adding that how this obsession of hers can sometimes feel overwhelming, but continued that it gives her a clear vision of her future. Gauff concluded that improving this particular aspect of her game will ultimately bring everything together for her.

Well, that’s the hope, isn’t it? Share your views in the comments.