“I don’t want to waste time playing a way I don’t want to play”: Coco Gauff describes sudden move to new coach ahead of US Open

Coco Gauff returns to New York not as the defending US Open champion unlike last year but she arrives with a new coach, a retooled mindset, and a willingness to make changes even on the eve of a Grand Slam.

“It feels great to be back here,” Gauff said as she opened her pre-tournament press conference. “Hopefully I can have a good run.”

The biggest talking point surrounding Gauff’s preparation was her surprise split with Brad Gilbert and the decision to bring in Gavin MacMillan. “It was a very sudden decision,” she admitted in her US Open press conference. “Gavin became available, and I just felt this was the best decision for my game. Matt [Gilbert] is a great coach and a great person, and I loved working with him 100 percent. We obviously had a very successful partnership. But I’m looking long term, and Gavin has had experience with this before, so I’m hoping I can tap into his knowledge and see what happens.”

Making changes so close to the tournament didn’t faze her. “A tournament’s a tournament. I hate losing regardless of where I am — even if it was a 250, I’d feel the same,” she explained. “This felt like the right opportunity. I don’t have that many points to defend this part of the season, and I’m always thinking long term. Hopefully I’ll have it together by the time I play Monday or Tuesday. If not, I’ve got the rest of the year to keep working. But I know I need to make a technical change, and I don’t want to waste time doing the wrong things.”

Her new coach, she added, has embraced the challenge. “He’s a confident person. There’s pressure on both of us, but I’m not thinking about outside opinions. I’ve won the French Open, made two finals back-to-back, the quarters in Australia. I could say, okay, I’m fine, and just keep playing the way I am. But I know where I want to see my game in the future, and I don’t want to waste time playing in a way I don’t want to play.”

That drive for constant improvement has always been part of Gauff’s mindset. “When I won the US Open here, I was very vocal that I wasn’t happy with how I played the whole tournament,” she said. “It was a great result, but for me it’s about getting better. I’m obsessed with the process of getting better. Sometimes maybe it hurts me because I get obsessed with it too much, but I feel like I have a clear vision of my future. I feel like I’m really close, and this technical change will bring everything together.”

The comfort, she said, is that she’s already achieved so much without yet hitting her peak. “It’s a big comfort knowing I’ve won two majors without playing my best tennis. I’d feel worse if I was playing great and losing. Even at the French Open, some matches I was playing my best, some I wasn’t. I’d love to get to the point of playing great all the way through — three, four weeks, back-to-back 1000s and a Slam. I think with these changes I’ll get there. It’s just a matter of time.”

Off the court, Gauff continues to build her profile in fashion, working with Miu Miu on collaborative kits. “It’s been really cool to work with them. Cincinnati was the last of our three kits, and I’ll be doing more stuff with them off court, which I’m super excited about,” she said. “It hasn’t really been done in tennis to have a collaborative kit, and to be one of the first is really cool. I hope more brands get involved.”

Fashion, she explained, isn’t just about aesthetics. “It’s so important. For me, it’s almost extra motivation when I have a great kit — I want to play better to get the photos I want. Especially as a woman, when you feel good and the fit is right, you’re confident on court and you’re not thinking about anything else. Fashion also brings more fans into the sport. At the US Open, we get that demographic, but I’d love to see more of it across the tour.”

Music is another key part of her preparation. At the French Open, she quoted Tyler, the Creator in her victory speech. “I don’t plan it out — it depends on how I feel,” she said. “Usually if I’m doing well in a tournament, I’ll stick with the same pre-match song. It’s usually between rap and gospel. When I’m nervous, I’ll listen to gospel because I need a higher power to calm me down. When I’m feeling good, I’ll play rap. Before my semifinal in Paris, I felt great so it was a rap day. Before the final, I was nervous so it was a gospel day. It definitely carried me through.”

Asked about the parity in women’s tennis — 10 different US Open champions in the past 11 years — Gauff welcomed it.

“Honestly, not much goes through my mind hearing that,” she smiled. “Wimbledon has been similar. In best-of-three, there’s more probability for new champions. In best-of-five, the better player usually has more time to find their game. But I think it’s great. If you go into a tournament already knowing who the four semifinalists are going to be, it can get boring. In women’s tennis, there are new possibilities, and that’s exciting.”

Gauff also spoke about prize money, which continues to grow in tennis but remains a subject of debate. “It’s great that prize money is rising, but revenue is rising too,” she said. “I think players should get more of a percentage share. You’ve all seen the letter circulating on Twitter. We’re continuing to push. I’m very grateful to be in tennis, especially as a woman, because other sports don’t have the same opportunities. But I think it’s important to address it — not just for tennis but for the future of other sports. The WNBA is trying to get there. Women deserve their fair share of revenue too.”

Her practice sessions this week even drew attention when she was spotted hitting in the rain. “Honestly, it was just drizzling,” she laughed. “People on social media made it seem like I was in a hurricane. The courts weren’t that wet. I’ve served in the rain before. The indoor courts were all booked, and I just wanted more reps.”

She also admitted she had “a little bit of FOMO” watching the new mixed doubles format unfold. “I love mixed doubles. I played the one-set format last year with Ben [Shelton], which was really fun. But I had too many sponsor obligations this week, so I knew it wasn’t possible. I thought it was really cool, and great to see mixed doubles get the recognition it deserves. Next year, maybe they can balance entries so more doubles specialists can compete. I definitely wouldn’t rule out playing in the future. New York is always tough for me, but if other Slams add it, that would be easier.”

Off the court, Gauff revealed she spent much of her summer immersed in Love Island.

“Love Island took up my whole summer, quite literally,” she laughed. “I’m even trying to work up the courage to invite a couple of the cast members to a match, but I don’t have the courage yet.”

She’s also been watching the film Weapons and her usual anime favorites, though she admitted books haven’t been a big part of her routine. Other reality shows didn’t capture her attention in the same way. “I tried Temptation Island, but I was like, this is dumb. Who goes on the show with your boyfriend? That was just stupid.”

As she prepares to begin her US Open defense, Gauff is stepping into a new chapter of her career with big goals and an open mind. “I feel like I’m really close,” she said. “I know where I want to see my game, and I think this change will bring everything together.”