American tennis star Coco Gauff teamed up with U.S. Women’s National Team soccer icon Alex Morgan for a lively doubles match at the Stars of the Open exhibition held at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The pair competed against tennis legends Venus Williams and John McEnroe, delivering an entertaining display of athleticism. During the match, Gauff humorously directed a teasing comment toward Andre Agassi.
In footage shared by the US Open on X, Morgan demonstrated sharp backhand shots, securing a winning point by forcing Williams to miss her return. Encouraging Morgan throughout, Gauff remarked as Morgan clinched that point:
“She’s already doing better than Andre.”
The exhibition event brought together current tennis stars, seasoned champions, and unexpected guests like Morgan. Originally, Gauff was paired with Agassi, but Morgan later joined them on court to create a memorable mixed doubles moment.
Gauff Prepares for US Open with Change in Coaching Personnel
As Coco Gauff looks ahead to her first-round match against Ajla Tomljanović scheduled for Sunday, August 24, she has made a notable shift in her coaching team just before the tournament. The third seed recently parted ways with coach Matthew Daly and will now work closely with longtime mentor Jean-Christophe Faurel while competing in New York. This transition follows ongoing concerns about Gauff’s serving consistency throughout the season.
To address these difficulties, Gauff has enlisted the expertise of biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan, known for his previous work improving the serve of World No. 1 player Aryna Sabalenka.
“No one calls my season bad because I won Roland Garros, and for people, winning a Grand Slam more or less defines whether you’ve had a successful season or not,”
Gauff explained after her exit at the Cincinnati Open, adding,
“Sometimes tennis fans want us to win like every week. But we’re playing 11 months. It’s not that easy.
“It’s completely normal for a player to have a good 3-4 weeks, then maybe a not-so-good 3-4 weeks just because of the way our season is built,” she added.
Reactions to Coaching Changes and Gauff’s Goals
The decision by Gauff to switch coaches so close to a major has surprised some experts, including former player and analyst Patrick McEnroe.
“It’s very surprising that a top player would do that right before a major,”
McEnroe commented ahead of the US Open,
“But one of the things you’ve got to love with Coco Gauff is she wants to get better.”
Gauff is determined to reduce the number of double faults that currently lead the tour with 320 this season. Her collaboration with MacMillan is expected to focus chiefly on improving this aspect of her game and enhancing her overall serving reliability as she competes in New York.
Potential Impact on Gauff’s Season and Future Tournaments
The combination of Gauff’s recent coaching change and her work with a biomechanics expert signals a cautious but optimistic step forward in her efforts to regain peak form. Known for her powerful baseline play and resilience, Gauff’s strategy to revamp her serve could prove pivotal not only in the US Open but also for the remainder of the season. Partnering with unexpected teammates like Alex Morgan in exhibition settings also underscores her versatility and popularity beyond tennis circles, creating a unique blend of athletic camaraderie and competitive spirit.
As the US Open progresses, Gauff’s performance will be widely watched, with many eager to see whether these tactical adjustments translate into stronger results on court, strengthening her position on the tour and inspiring her growing fan base.