Serena Williams’ ex-coach shares his view on Coco Gauff’s controversial pre-US Open decision

Most of the reaction has not been about the decision itself, but when it happened.

It was a bold move to make so close to such a crucial point in the season, especially with Gauff heading back to New York as America’s top player.

It caught everyone off guard, and opinions are still forming.

But Rick Macci, who coached both Serena and Venus Williams, sees it as an obvious choice.

He points out that her serve had already become an issue due to ‘non science based information’.

Gauff’s serve had become a clear weakness, and Macci says both she and her father recognised that something drastic needed to be done.

The big question now is whether this move pays off at Flushing Meadows.

Coco Gauff’s results since the French Open

It is a period of her career that was becoming increasingly hard to ignore.

Her decision to switch coaches, and how quickly she did it, was probably influenced by the fact that she isn’t in good form coming into the US Open this year.

There is very little for her to lose at this point from where she sits.

Her preparation for this year’s event has not gone nearly as well, with early exits in Berlin and Wimbledon, followed by disappointing performances at both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati.

Gauff has explained why she brought Gavin MacMillan on board when she did, but it will take a significant turnaround in form for her to become a real title threat again.