Coco Gauff’s meteoric rise on the WTA Tour has been nothing short of spectacular, and according to legendary tennis coach Rick Macci, it’s only a matter of time before the 20-year-old American takes over the No.1 ranking. With a Grand Slam title already in her trophy case and her game continuing to evolve, Gauff is closer than ever to reaching the pinnacle of women’s tennis.
But what will it take for her to surpass Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek at the top? Macci believes the answer lies in three key areas of her game.
Coco Gauff’s Rapid Rise: A Star in the Making
Since turning professional in 2018, Gauff has made incredible strides, breaking into the Top 3 and proving herself as a major threat on the tour.
- Current WTA World No.3
- 10 WTA singles titles & 9 doubles titles
- 2024 US Open champion 🏆
- United Cup winner with Team USA in 2025
- 2025 Australian Open quarter-finalist
Her 2025 campaign is already off to a strong start, and with the clay and grass seasons ahead, she has prime opportunities to close the gap in the rankings.
Macci: Gauff Has ‘Untapped Potential’ to Dominate
Rick Macci, who coached legends like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova, sees Gauff as a future World No.1—but she still has room to grow.
“Coco has untapped potential and can get to No.1 and, most of all, stay there,” Macci posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“If her second serve becomes an asset and forehand becomes her best shot. Her first serve someday can hit 130 mph as she continues to tweak. Make-up speed is as good as the sport has ever seen.”
What’s Holding Gauff Back from No.1?
Despite her all-around brilliance, Macci pinpoints two main weaknesses preventing Gauff from claiming the top ranking:
1️⃣ Her Second Serve: Currently a vulnerability in her game, giving aggressive returners an easy opportunity to attack her early in rallies.
2️⃣ Her Forehand: While solid, it isn’t as consistent or dominant as her backhand, meaning top players can target it under pressure.
‘Fixing Her Serve Takes Less Than an Hour’
Macci insists that Gauff’s second serve issue is an easy fix, saying it could be completely transformed in just one training session.
“Coco and her second serve can be fixed in less than one hour,” Macci stated. “Once that is biomechanically rewired and in the EYE of the BEHOLDER, the mental game overall becomes BOLDER.”
If Gauff sharpens these two areas, Macci believes she won’t just reach No.1—she’ll dominate the tour for years to come.
‘Confidence Will Launch Coco Like a Rocket’
Another major factor in Gauff’s rise? Her growing confidence.
“Confidence breeds confidence,” Macci wrote. “She always had that in her back pocket, but now, she has shifted to her front pocket, and Coco will launch like a rocket. Number one is around the corner.”
Her mentality and composure in big matches have already improved dramatically, especially after winning the 2024 US Open. If she continues to build on that momentum, the top spot could soon be hers.
Gauff vs. Sabalenka & Swiatek: The Race for No.1
Sky Sports analyst Gigi Salmon sees Gauff as the biggest challenger to Sabalenka and Swiatek for the top ranking, but notes that the Belarusian still has the edge for now.
“Swiatek is going through a period of transition with a new team, and while I think Gauff could be her closest challenger, I think Sabalenka will hold everyone off,” she said.
What’s Next for Gauff?
With plenty of ranking points up for grabs in the coming months, Gauff has a golden opportunity to close the gap:
- Clay Season: Can she finally conquer Roland Garros, where she was runner-up in 2022?
- Grass Swing: A deep run at Wimbledon could be a game-changer.
- Hard Court Season: Defending her US Open crown will be critical.
Can Gauff Become World No.1 in 2025?
If she polishes her serve, strengthens her forehand, and keeps building confidence, Gauff has all the tools to take over the WTA throne.
Macci’s message is clear: Coco Gauff isn’t just close to No.1—she’s destined for it.
