Coco Gauff’s double-fault issues resurfaced during her opening match in Rome.
The two-time Grand Slam champion double-faulted at 5-3, 0-0, in the first set against Tereza Valentova.
“You always do this!” said Gauff.
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Commentating for Sky Sports, Liam Broady explained why he didn’t like Gauff’s reaction to the error.
Liam Broady worries Coco Gauff’s double-fault complaints are a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’
“I don’t like that self-talk, I have to say,” said Broady.
“You always do this; it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“You have done this, you don’t always do it.
“You’ve got to stay strong; the second you give in to those inner voices, it’s big, big trouble.”
Gauff has struggled with her serve for years and reached a breaking point in 2025.
On the eve of the US Open, Gauff hired Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics expert, to fix the shot.
It wasn’t an overnight fix, but the numbers improved for a while.
But then, during the Middle Eastern swing this year, Gauff complained to MacMillan during another double-fault-heavy performance.
“I’ve been doing everything you’ve wanted for the last six months, and it’s not getting any better,” she said during her semi-final defeat to Elina Svitolina in Dubai.
Some questioned whether the pair would split in the aftermath of those comments, but they seem to be committed to making it work.
However, with the double faults still causing problems, perhaps it might be best for Gauff to look elsewhere.
Is it time for Coco Gauff and Gavin MacMillan to part ways?
Five months into the 2026 season, Gauff has only played one WTA final, which she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in Miami.
Coco Gauff’s 2026 record
| Tournament | Performance | Wins | Defeat |
| United Cup | Semi-final | 3 (Solana Sierra, Maria Sakkari, Iga Swiatek) | Jessica Bouzas Maneiro |
| Australian Open | Quarter-final | 4 (Kamilla Rakhimova, Olga Danilovic, Hailey Baptiste, Karolina Muchova) | Elina Svitolina |
| Qatar Open | Second round | 0 | Elisabetta Cocciaretto |
| Dubai Tennis Championships | Semi-final | 3 (Anna Kalinskaya, Elise Mertens, Alex Eala) | Elina Svitolina |
| Indian Wells | Third round | 1 (Kamilla Rakhimova) | Alex Eala |
| Miami Open | Final | 4 (Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Alycia Parks, Sorana Cirstea, Belinda Bencic, Karolina Muchova) | Aryna Sabalenka |
| Stuttgart Open | Quarter-final | 1 (Liudmila Samsonova) | Karolina Muchova |
| Madrid Open | Fourth round | 2 (Leolia Jeanjean, Sorana Cirstea) | Linda Noskova |
Those results have seen her drop to eighth in the ‘Live WTA Race’, jeopardising her chances of qualifying for the year-end finals.
Her disappointing form can’t just be attributed to MacMillan and the serve, but the numbers don’t look great.
Gauff leads the WTA Tour for double faults this year, by some distance.
WTA double-fault leaders (2026)
- 1. Coco Gauff – 183
- 2. Mirra Andreeva – 132
- 3. Paula Badosa – 130
- 4. Victoria Mboko – 118
- 5. Dayana Yastremska – 114
- 6. Anastasia Potapova – 114
- 7. Jelena Ostapenko – 112
- 8. Linda Noskova – 111
- 9. Alycia Parks – 103
- 10. Camila Osorio – 100
Given MacMillan was largely hired to solve that issue, you have to wonder whether a different coach should now be considered.
There are several top coaches available, including Wim Fissette, who won Wimbledon with Iga Swiatek last year.
It remains to be seen if Gauff will make a change, but it will certainly be something to keep an eye on over the coming months.
Coco Gauff survives test to advance in Rome
Gauff was far from her best in the second round, but escaped with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Valentova.
Both players struggled on serve, but it was Gauff who secured her spot in the third round.
Coco Gauff vs Tereza Valentova – Match stats
| Stats | Coco Gauff | Tereza Valentova |
| Aces | 0 | 0 |
| Double faults | 7 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 58% | 58% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 60% | 43% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 56% | 33% |
| Break points | 6/9 | 4/10 |
Gauff will now prepare to take on either Solana Sierra or Anhelina Kalinina.
