Coco Gauff axes Grand Slam-winning coach and copies world No.1 in big shake-up

Coco Gauff has axed coach Matt Daly on the eve of the US Open. Daly took over from Brad Gilbert in 2024, leading Gauff to her maiden French Open win and a second Grand Slam title.

However, the American has struggled for form since the end of the claycourt season. After her first-round defeat at the Grass Court Championships in Berlin, she was stunned in her opening match at Wimbledon with a defeat to world No.35 Dayana Yastremska. She's since failed to make it past the last eight in any of her hardcourt tournaments and has a 4-4 record since Roland Garros.

ESPN have reported that Gauff, 21, has already started working with Daly's replacement. She's said to have teamed up with Gavin MacMillan, who specialises in the biomechanincs of sport and is renowned trainer and rehabilitator.

The 59-year-old, from Canada, previously worked with the current world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian credited ManMillan for solving her serving issues and ending her struggles with frequent double faults.

Gauff was seen on court with MacMillan as she practiced on Wednesday afternoon in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Coaching staff member JC Faurel was also on hand, with the US Open getting underway next week.

ESPN tennis pundit Darren Cahill said: "A lot of things add up and this could be a really good relationship. He's very thorough, I've spoken to him many times and he's got experience with different athletes from different sports, both male and female.

"He uses the new technology, he goes to the video a lot, really breaks down the biomechanics."

The development comes after Gauff opted to skip the controversial revamped mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows. After admitting "I didn't want to waste mental energy on that," she was also critical of organisers for the change of format.

"I'm honoured that they asked me to play," Gauff said. "It's going to be great, it's going to be fun, and the fans will really enjoy it. At the same time, how they went about it, I didn't think was really great. You guys went rogue and changed the format and didn't tell anybody."