Coco Gauff is at a career crossroads, and her immediate schedule could play a huge role to help guide her down the right path.
After all, having hired Gavin MacMillan before the US Open, the American made a bold move that opened herself up to huge scrutiny.
Given her form throughout 2025, her chances of winning the event were always slim, but to make such an unprecedented decision on the eve of the final Grand Slam of the season shocked the tennis world and gave many an excuse if she were to underperform.
In the end, Coco Gauff was knocked out by Naomi Osaka in convincing fashion, halting her run in the fourth round.
Now, following the US Open’s conclusion, Gauff has an obvious scheduling decision to make between now and the end of the season to help promote a positive and transformative few months.
Coco Gauff should skip as many tournaments as possible
It’s clear that Gauff needs time to work with her new coach away from playing tournaments.
After all, whilst matchplay is key for honing learned skills, it is not the best place to completely revolutionise one’s game.
And, for the 21-year-old, she needs a complete overhaul.
That is why it would make complete sense for Gauff to play as few tournaments as possible between now and the end of the season, instead prioritising time on the practice court with MacMillan.
Only there will they be able to enact the necessary changes that will fix her serve and forehand, and turn her into the contender many believe she should be.
For the rest of the year, there are two Masters 1000 events and the end-of-year finals as the remaining tournaments of note.
Prioritising these, and omitting all other events, could be the smart decision for Gauff to mix playing genuine matches with crucial practice.
Coco Gauff explains why she hired Gavin MacMillan right before the US Open
It was refreshing to see Gauff so open about the reasons behind hiring MacMillan when she did.
Speaking at the US Open, she revealed in a press conference: “It was, like, a very sudden decision. Gavin became available. I just felt this was the best decision for my game, and I had to go with what I was feeling.”
The reigning French Open champion then explained how she was losing matches anyway, so she at least wanted to do it by trying to do the right things.
Gauff continued: “I mean, a tournament is a tournament. I hate losing regardless of where I am. If this was a 250, I would feel just as crazy to do it. I’m one of those people, I’m looking at long term. I hope I can get it all together. If not, I have the rest of this year to work on it.
“I know I needed to make a change, a technical change to it, and I don’t want to waste time continuing doing the wrong things.”
