Coco Gauff's return to world number one is imminent, says coach

Macci, who coached tennis legend Serena Williams, feels Gauff is "knocking hard on the door" and also predicted that the 2025 season will be "the most fluid in many years" on the WTA Tour.

Gauff is currently ranked third behind world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, who she trails by 2,768 and 1,232 points respectively in the WTA Rankings.

Gauff defeated world No. 81 Sofia Kenin, who won the Melbourne Grand Slam in 2020, in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open on Monday.

The 20-year-old is seeking her second major title to add to her triumph at the US Open in 2023.

Gauff is projected to face Sabalenka, the two-time reigning champion, in a potential semi-final blockbuster.

The American is on a seven-match winning streak stretching back to the WTA Finals in November, having started her season by winning all five of her matches at the United Cup in straight sets as the United States won the event.

In a post on X, Macci commented on Gauff's confidence as he backed her to ascend to the top of the rankings.

"Confidence breeds confidence," the 70-year-old wrote.

"She always had that in her back pocket but now shifted to her front pocket and Coco will launch like a rocket. Number one around the corner."

In a separate tweet, the American coach added: "Her counterpunching with unreal quality off the backhand wing with an extreme open stance is the best on the planet, solid as granite and enables Coco to live another day and keep in play."

Macci also gave his verdict on the battle between the top three players on the WTA Tour.

"This season on the WTA will be the most fluid in many years as the gap mentally has closed big time between the top two players and Coco is knocking hard on the door, plus some brand new ones entering the building," he posted.

Macci has coached five players who achieved the world No 1 ranking in their careers: Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati and Andy Roddick. He also worked with Mary Pierce, Anastasia Myskina and Sofia Kenin.

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