Coco Gauff Backed by Veteran Coach After China Open Statement That ‘Might Be a Shock’ to Tennis Community

American tennis star Coco Gauff is set to make her much-anticipated return at the 2025 China Open. The world No. 3 enters the tournament as the reigning champion, but she recently admitted she’s treating it more like a practice event. Her comments caught the eye of the tennis world, with Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rick Macci among those who seemed to appreciate her approach.

How Did Rick Macci React to Coco Gauff’s China Open Statement?
The 2025 season has been turbulent for the American, with her French Open triumph standing out as the only highlight. Since then, Gauff has struggled to find her rhythm, suffering early exits in Berlin, Wimbledon and Montreal, with her best result being a quarterfinal finish in Cincinnati. Her most recent outing came at the 2025 US Open, and she bowed out in the fourth round to eventual semifinalist Naomi Osaka.

A significant challenge awaits Gauff as she aims to defend her title at the WTA 1000 event in Beijing. But the two-time Major champion is entering the tournament with a more relaxed mindset.

In her pre-event press conference, Gauff revealed that, unlike last year, when she felt the pressure to prove herself without a Major to her name, she now feels a sense of ease and confidence heading into the competition.

“I think last year I did care, but maybe I felt a little bit like I had to do something, because I hadn’t won a big title at that point, at that time of the year yet. I don’t know how I feel right now. I definitely feel a lot lighter. It feels, again, like a practice tournament. So we’ll see how it goes,” she said. 

Gauff’s remarks drew praise from Serena Williams’ childhood coach, Rick Macci, who commended the 21-year-old for displaying ‘unreal maturity.’ He noted that her approach offers a valuable chance to accelerate her growth and gain experience in high-pressure, competitive conditions.

“I love Coco and her MINDSET that the China Open is a PRACTICE TOURNAMENT. For many that statement might be a shock but I see this as unreal maturity and the courage to say it and experiment in live combat. This is a gold nugget to EXPIDITE THE LEARNING COURAGE CURVE! @CocoGauff,” he wrote on X.

I love Coco and her MINDSET that the China Open is a PRACTICE TOURNAMENT. For many that statement might be a shock but I see this as unreal maturity and the courage to say it and experiment in live combat. This is a gold nugget to EXPIDITE THE LEARNING COURAGE CURVE! @CocoGauff

— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) September 24, 2025

It remains to be seen how Gauff’s refreshed approach will play out at the WTA 1000 event in Beijing. With top contenders like Iga Świątek, Zheng Qinwen, Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Naomi Osaka and others in the draw, defending the 1000 points she earned last year seems tough.

One advantage for the American, however, is her status as the second seed, which grants her direct entry into the second round. She will open her campaign against world No. 71 Kamilla Rakhimova.