Coco Gauff adds Matt Daly to coaching team, aims to work on serve ahead of China Open

Coco Gauff confirmed the latest switch to her coaching team ahead of the China Open, telling *WTA Insider* Matt Daly will join Jean-Christophe “JC” Faurel following her decision to part ways with Brad Gilbert.

“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,” said Gauff, who ended her 14-month partnership with Gilbert following the 2024 US Open.

Daly, 45, is a former coach of ATP former No. 10 Denis Shapovalov, and is a college tennis alum at Notre Dame University.

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. Coco Gauff

Under Gilbert, the then-19-year-old Gauff enjoyed a breakout summer in 2023, winning titles in Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati before capturing her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, rallying from a set down to shock ascending world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

The American initially continued that momentum in 2024 with back-to-back Grand Slam semifinals at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, but began struggling with her serve in the spring and suffered early exits from Wimbledon, the Summer Olympic Games, and the US Open.

Gauff’s serving woes were on full display in Flushing Meadows, where her title defense flamed out in the fourth round to fellow American Emma Navarro. In the third set alone, she struck 11 double faults to exit, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

To no one’s surprise, the 20-year-old noted that making what she called “subtle” changes to her serve is high on her list of priorities with Daly and Faurel.

“When I serve well, I play pretty well,” said Gauff. “For me, that's the basis for my game.”

Click here to read the full WTA Insider interview with Gauff, who is the No. 4 seed in Beijing. Following a first-round bye, she will play her first match against France’s Clara Burel.