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Emotional Coco Gauff reveals why her US Open victory over Vekic meant so much

Originally posted on HITC | By Callum Davies | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 9:40 AM ET

Coco Gauff got a little emotional last night, holding back tears after her hard-fought win over Donna Vekic in the second round of the US Open.

While the match had plenty of drama, it was also full of mistakes from both players.

Gauff’s serve and forehand were still giving her problems, while Vekic was clearly struggling with an injury that limited what she could do.

Despite all that, Gauff managed to come through another error-filled contest with the win.

The timing raised eyebrows just before the tournament started, but she said it felt right to begin addressing her issues sooner rather than later.

Afterward, Gauff spoke openly about whether those changes were paying off. She also talked about why the win meant so much to her emotionally.

Has Gavin MacMillan already made a difference to Coco Gauff’s serve?

After securing her spot in the third round, Gauff spoke to the press about the early signs of progress she’s noticed under MacMillan.

Her comments came just after an emotional moment on court, where she paused an interview in tears, openly admitting to feeling overwhelmed by the pressure.

“I think the most encouragement is also, like, how I showed up in the second set with the serve. I think I won, like, a lot of points on first serve, and I don’t know how many doubles I had in the second, but it was a lot less than the first, that’s for sure,” she said.

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

She went on: “And, I don’t know, I think this whole tournament will stick for me for the rest of my career. Knowing that if I can get through two tough matches feeling how I’m feeling right now – if those nerves come again – I’ll recall this and know it probably can’t get much worse than this.”

“So yeah… for me there’s a lot to be proud of. A couple of years ago my returning was one of my weakest areas and now it’s one of my biggest strengths.”

The American brought Gavin MacMillan into her camp right before Flushing Meadows began – the same man who helped Aryna Sabalenka turn around her own service struggles.

Coco Gauff’s US Open coaching overhaul

Swapping out her entire coaching staff just before a Grand Slam is a move most players wouldn’t even consider, let alone attempt. But Gauff hasn’t shied away from taking bold steps before.

It’s the kind of experience that few on the tour can truly relate to, especially given where she stands in the game. There aren’t many who understand the scrutiny she faces every time she steps on court.

Already a two-time Grand Slam champion and the biggest name in American tennis, Gauff could have easily stuck with what was familiar, even if her game wasn’t perfect.

She’s aiming higher than most of her peers. In pursuit of greatness, Gauff is pushing herself for more.

The decision to bring MacMillan into her camp just before Flushing Meadows might seem risky on the surface. But long-term, it could be exactly what propels her towards true dominance over the women’s game.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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