"She is going to win some slams" - Rick Macci believes Coco Gauff has what it takes to become a champion

Coco Gauff is the best athlete on the WTA tour right now according to Rick Macci, the legendary figure who coached Serena Williams and Venus Williams early in their careers.

Gauff has already reached a Slam singles final, losing to a dominant Iga Swiatek at the French Open in June. However, Macci believes that the 18-year-old star will definitely win the biggest titles in the sport.

“I know Coco and her father, we’re all in Florida,” Macci told Tennis-Infinity.com. “She is the best pure athlete running on the WTA Tour. What that means is when you’re nervous, you can still play offence and defense.

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"She can run, she’s a track star that has a tennis racket in her hand. Gauff reminds me a lot of Venus as far as the strides and the running goes.”

Macci admitted that Gauff still has technical challenges in her game, particularly with her serve and forehand. But the American reiterated how young Gauff is and how much room she has to improve, even offering up his advice.

“Coco is going to win some Grand Slams, there’s no doubt about it,” Macci continued. “She’s only 18, she’s gonna get better. But to dominate the game, I would like to see her play closer to the baseline, dictate, cut the court, take the ball early, hit the ball cleaner.

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“She counter punches a lot and that’s a tougher way to make a living and to become a champion.”

Gauff is among a number of American women who will be hoping to win a Slam title on home soil at the US Open in September.