How Gauff’s new coach Matt Daly “has made a drastic improvement” already
The 45-year-old is a technique and grip specialist, and is focused on improving Gauff’s serve
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World No 6 Coco Gauff has announced a new coaching partnership with Matt Daly, after parting ways with Brad Gilbert earlier this month following her fourth-round US Open loss.
The 45-year-old American has previously coached Denis Shapovalov, and is a former player that represented the University of Notre Dame and reached No 941 in the world in 2003. He specialises in technique, specifically grip changes, and is the co-founder of GripMD, a device that helps teach players correct grips for different shots.
Daly will work alongside Jean-Christophe Faurel, Gauff’s long-time coach, and intends to help the 20-year-old improve her service action.
“Already, the little bit we’ve done has made a drastic improvement to where I was three weeks ago,” Gauff explained.
“At this point, there’s not a crazy amount, like going through a whole technique change or resetting everything. It’s just subtle things that, doing it for a week now, will help me.
“There are other parts of my game that I want to work on, too, but the focus right now is the serve,” Gauff shared on Thursday. “When I serve well, I play pretty well. For me, that’s the basis for my game.”
The former world No 2’s serve has been a noticeable issue in her game this year, with Gauff serving 19 double faults in her most recent loss to Emma Navarro at the US Open.
Gauff excited about coaching change
While Gauff and Gilbert parted ways amicably, the American revealed that she is excited for the change in coach, and is looking forward to doing a refresh of her game.
“Working with Brad was really great and obviously we had a great partnership,” Gauff shared. “I think it was just time to do a reset, a refresh, and add some things in my game that I felt like I need to do to have a better season next year.
“I’m really excited. I think this is probably what it will look like next year too. I’m super excited for a new change and hopefully to improve other parts of my game.”
While Gauff is yet to play under Daly – her first match is this Friday against Clara Burel in Beijing – early signs about her mental state are positive.
The 20-year-old shared that she has been out and about sight-seeing this week after spending a fortnight off following the US Open, and is relaxed about whether or not she makes the WTA Finals in November.
“I did more things this time,” Gauff explained of her time in Beijing so far. “Last year, I was so tired so I didn’t do anything. This time I adjusted so much faster and I actually did the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which was really cool.
“I got to spend two weeks at home so I feel refreshed. Hoping to finish this season off strong.
“I’ve never felt pressure to make the Finals except the first year when I was trying to make it. This year, it would be great to qualify and experience an organised Finals, but I’m also not trying to put too much pressure because this is a new coaching setup and I’m adding things.
“This tournament, we started a pre-season early, in a way.
“So I’m not really thinking about it. If it happens, that’s great. If not, I get an earlier vacation. It’s a win-win. But everybody wants to make the final eight, so that would be cool.”
