While an undeniable tennis powerhouse, Gauff is aware of her limitations. To tackle the technical shortcomings of her serve, Gauff and her team employed the help of renowned biometrics coach Gavin MacMillan in a strategic move to up her game. Since bringing on specialist MacMillan, who was credited for helping world No.1 Sabalenka with her serve, Gauff’s form has visibly improved in a matter of months.
“I feel like I’m constantly trying to evolve and get better,” Gauff told wtatennis.com. “It’s not anything against the coaches I worked with – I can still be at the top and want to get better. Sometimes, a new perspective helps. It’s not always about what they say – maybe they’re saying similar things – but maybe the approach is a little bit different and I’m able to receive it better.”
With two Grand Slams already under her belt at just 21 years of age, the chances of the world No.3 taking home the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup is promising at a tournament where she has already reached the semifinals (2024) and quarterfinals (2025).
As one of only four Americans to claim a Grand Slam before turning 21, she is well and truly following in the footsteps of the iconic Williams sisters, who have been long-time role models for Gauff.
First picking up the racquet at six years old, Gauff’s must-watch athletes were Serena and Venus Williams, who dominated women’s tennis for over a decade. Serena’s 319 weeks as world No.1 and women’s Open-era record of 23 Grand Slam singles titles make her one of the most successful players in the sport’s history. For a young Gauff, Serena and Venus were powerful sources of inspiration and representation, helping her navigate a tennis environment where players who looked like her were once few and far between.
Gauff’s journey to finding her place in the sport developed alongside her growing voice for social justice. Rather than staying silent or playing it safe, she has used her platform to advocate for racial equality and calling for an end to gun violence.
