"It is disconnected" - Serena Williams' ex-coach Rick Macci points out flaws in Coco Gauff's serve after US Open shock loss
Coco Gauff’s US Open title defense came to an end in the fourth round, with her loss to compatriot Emma Navarro at a second Slam this year. The American’s serve blew hot and cold throughout the match and following the match, tennis coach Rick Macci opined her serve was "biomechanically disconnected."
Pitted against the fierce Navarro return, Gauff’s second serve came under massive pressure during the match. While she did win a few crucial points on her first serve, 19 double faults were her undoing.
Shortly after the match, Macci, who has been associated with the likes of Venus and Serena Williams in the past, said on X(formerly Twitter) he was asked about Gauff's serve. While diagnosing what he saw as the issues, he added that correcting it was "an easy fix."
He wrote:
"Asked about Coco and her serve. Biomechanically it is disconnected. 19 double faults and be in there shows her greatness. It needs minor reconstruction surgery based on scientific principles as it is an easy fix. People are telling her the Symptom not the Culprit. @Cocogauff"
Notably, Aryna Sabalenka also enlisted the help of a biomechanical instructor to help fix her erratic serve at the back end of the 2022 season. She would go on to win the Australian Open upon her return at the start of the 2023 season.
Rick Macci lauds Emma Navarro's mindset after American knocks out Coco Gauff at US Open
Tennis coach Rick Macci heaped praise on Emma Navarro for her performance as she knocked out Coco Gauff at the US Open. He said he was continually impressed by the little improvements that she has been making to her game.
The American’s mindset, he said, was another strength.
"What I love about Emma Navarro besides her improvising skills is her mindset. What we on the outside with the dips flips rips slices and dices does not show up on the biggest Stage unless SHE HAS THAT INTENSITY AND CALMNESS ON THE SAME PAGE," Macci wrote on X.
Notably, Navarro had also defeated Gauff at Wimbledon, winning their fourth-round showdown in straight sets. The 23-year-old will next take on Paula Badosa for a place in the US Open semifinal.