**”Coco Gauff Knows How to Survive” – Serena Williams’ Ex-Coach Rick Macci Advises American Star on How to Regain Former Glory Following Brad Gilbert Split**
Following her high-profile split with coach Brad Gilbert, Coco Gauff, one of the brightest stars in tennis, is now navigating her way through a critical phase in her career.
After winning her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 U.S. Open, Gauff’s collaboration with Gilbert seemed promising.
However, their partnership ended sooner than expected, sparking discussions around the young American’s next move.
Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, has shared his thoughts on how Gauff can reclaim her form and continue her upward trajectory despite the coaching changes.
### **Rick Macci’s Advice: Coco Gauff’s Resilience**
Rick Macci, one of the most respected figures in tennis coaching, has worked with some of the greatest players in the sport, including Serena and Venus Williams.
His guidance was pivotal in shaping Serena’s career, helping her develop the skills and mental toughness needed to dominate the sport for decades. Given his experience with young talents, Macci’s advice to Gauff holds considerable weight.
Macci has praised Gauff’s resilience and survival instincts, acknowledging that the 19-year-old has already overcome several challenges in her young career.
Gauff’s ability to handle immense pressure, both on and off the court, is a testament to her mental strength. Macci believes that this inner strength will serve her well as she looks to bounce back from the recent changes in her coaching staff.
“**Coco knows how to survive**,” Macci remarked in an interview, referring to Gauff’s ability to endure and thrive in the cutthroat world of professional tennis. He emphasized that, while coaching changes can be disruptive, Gauff has the maturity and drive to weather the storm.
According to Macci, Gauff’s strong work ethic and competitive spirit will be the foundation for her success moving forward.
### **Brad Gilbert Split: A Surprising Decision**
The decision to part ways with Brad Gilbert caught many by surprise, especially given Gauff’s recent success under his tutelage. Gilbert, a former coach of Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, was known for his tactical approach and experience in guiding players to success at the highest levels.
Together, Gauff and Gilbert formed an effective team, culminating in Gauff’s U.S. Open triumph—a career-defining moment for the young star.
Despite their success, it seems the partnership didn’t quite click as expected. According to reports, the split was amicable, with both parties acknowledging that their coaching styles and approaches didn’t align in the long term.
Gilbert’s focus on strategy may have clashed with Gauff’s need for a more holistic approach that balances her technical, mental, and emotional needs.
In light of the split, Macci advises Gauff to stay focused on her goals and not get too caught up in the temporary disruption.
“**These things happen, even with the best players**,” he said, pointing to examples of other top stars who have gone through multiple coaching changes before finding the right fit. Gauff’s ability to stay grounded and adaptable will be crucial as she navigates this transitional phase.
### **Gauff’s Strengths and Room for Growth**
Macci was quick to highlight Gauff’s many strengths as a player, noting that her athleticism, speed, and defensive skills are among the best on the tour.
Gauff’s ability to track down balls, her incredible footwork, and her natural court sense have made her one of the most dangerous opponents in women’s tennis. According to Macci, Gauff’s physical gifts, combined with her fierce competitiveness, give her the tools to succeed at the highest level.
However, Macci also pointed out areas where Gauff can improve, particularly in her offensive game. While Gauff’s defensive abilities are exceptional, Macci believes that she could benefit from developing a more aggressive style of play, one that allows her to take control of points rather than relying solely on counterpunching. “**Coco has the potential to be a more complete player**,” Macci said, suggesting that with the right guidance, she could evolve into a player who dominates matches on her own terms.
One specific area of improvement Macci identified is Gauff’s forehand, which has been criticized for being inconsistent at times.
Macci believes that with focused technical work, Gauff can turn her forehand into a weapon, much like Serena Williams did during her rise to dominance.
By working on her shot mechanics and fine-tuning her offensive game, Gauff can add new dimensions to her play, making her even more formidable on the court.
### **Finding the Right Coach: Rick Macci’s Perspective**
As Gauff searches for a new coach, Rick Macci emphasized the importance of finding someone who understands her unique needs as a player.
Macci advised Gauff to look for a coach who not only brings tactical expertise but also complements her personality and mindset.
He stressed the significance of a strong player-coach relationship, where both parties are aligned in terms of goals, communication, and approach to training.
Macci himself has a deep understanding of what it takes to guide young, talented players to greatness. During his time working with Serena and Venus Williams, he emphasized the importance of patience, discipline, and building confidence.
He suggests that Gauff’s next coach should focus on helping her develop not only technically but also mentally and emotionally, given the pressures that come with being a top player at such a young age.
In terms of potential candidates, Macci mentioned several high-profile coaches who could be a good fit for Gauff. Among them was **Patrick Mouratoglou**, Serena Williams’ former coach, who has a reputation for working with top-level players and helping them reach their full potential.
Mouratoglou’s experience in guiding Serena through her career, especially in high-pressure situations, could be invaluable for Gauff as she seeks to regain her form and continue her rise in the rankings.
Another name Macci floated was **Rick Macci himself**. Having previously worked with the Williams sisters, Macci has a proven track record of helping young talents break through to the elite level.
While Macci hasn’t officially expressed interest in coaching Gauff, his comments suggest that he would be willing to offer guidance or even work with her if the opportunity arose.
### **The Path Forward for Coco Gauff**
As Gauff moves forward from the Brad Gilbert era, her focus will undoubtedly be on finding the right coach to guide her through the next phase of her career.
With Rick Macci’s encouragement and advice, Gauff is well-positioned to bounce back and continue her ascent in the world of tennis.
Macci’s belief in Gauff’s ability to “**survive and thrive**” will give her confidence as she searches for a new coach and works to refine her game.
The road ahead may be challenging, but with her undeniable talent, determination, and the right guidance, Gauff has the potential to achieve even greater heights in her career.
While the split with Brad Gilbert marks the end of one chapter, it also presents an opportunity for Gauff to explore new possibilities and take her game to the next level.
With her first Grand Slam title already under her belt, Gauff has shown she has what it takes to compete with the best in the world—and, with the right support, she could very well dominate the sport for years to come.
