Executive Insights
- Coco Gauff won her second Grand Slam title at the 2025 French Open.
- She is currently ranked World No. 3 (Jan 2026) and holds the record for the largest WTA prize money check ($4.8M) from the 2024 WTA Finals.
- Her coaching team was revamped in late 2025, adding biomechanist Gavin MacMillan to fix her serve.
- Gauff suffered a quarterfinal exit at the 2026 Australian Open against Elina Svitolina.
- She is the highest-paid female athlete in the world (2024-2025) with major endorsements from New Balance, Rolex, and Bose.
Introduction: The Evolution of a Tennis Icon
As of January 2026, Coco Gauff stands as one of the most dominant figures in women’s tennis. At just 21 years old, the American superstar has solidified her place in the history books with two Grand Slam singles titles—the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open—and a reputation as a fierce competitor on the WTA Tour. Currently ranked World No. 3, Gauff continues to evolve her game under the guidance of a revamped coaching team, navigating the pressures of global stardom while chasing the World No. 1 spot held by rivals Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek.
From her meteoric rise as a 15-year-old prodigy at Wimbledon to her record-breaking payday at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Gauff’s journey has been defined by resilience. This comprehensive guide covers her recent career milestones, coaching changes, equipment, and performance analysis for the 2025-2026 seasons.
Career Timeline: Major Titles and Recent Form
Coco Gauff’s transition from a defensive counterpuncher to an all-court aggressor has yielded significant silverware. Her ability to win on different surfaces underscores her versatility.
The 2025 French Open Triumph
The highlight of Gauff’s 2025 season was undoubtedly her victory at Roland Garros. After a stellar clay-court swing that included finals appearances in Madrid and Rome, Gauff captured her second major title in Paris. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping final, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, becoming the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams. This victory cemented her status as a clay-court powerhouse and silenced critics regarding her forehand mechanics on the dirt.
2024 WTA Finals Victory
Before her success in Paris, Gauff made history at the end of 2024. At the WTA Finals in Riyadh, she defeated Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in a thrilling three-set final (3–6, 6–4, 7–6). The win secured her the largest prize money check in women’s tennis history at the time—$4.8 million—and she became the youngest player to defeat both the World No. 1 (Sabalenka) and No. 2 (Świątek) at the same tournament since 2006.
2026 Season Start: Australian Open Heartbreak
Entering the 2026 season with high expectations, Gauff looked strong at the Australian Open but faced a shocking exit in the quarterfinals. For the second consecutive year, her Melbourne campaign ended in the last eight, this time at the hands of a resurgent Elina Svitolina. Gauff struggled with her serve in a 6-1, 6-2 defeat, a match that highlighted the ongoing technical adjustments she is making with her new coaching staff.
Coaching Team: The Search for Stability
Gauff’s coaching situation has seen several high-profile changes as she seeks to refine her technical game, particularly her serve.
- Current Head Coach (2026): Jean-Christophe Faurel remains a constant presence, providing strategic continuity.
- Biomechanics Specialist: In August 2025, Gauff hired Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics expert known for his work with Aryna Sabalenka. MacMillan replaced Matt Daly and is tasked with reconstructing Gauff’s serve motion to reduce double faults and increase consistency under pressure.
- Previous Coaches: Gauff split with Brad Gilbert in late 2024 after a successful 14-month partnership that produced her first Slam. She briefly worked with Matt Daly during the first half of 2025 before the switch to MacMillan.
Playing Style and Equipment
Gauff is widely regarded as one of the best athletes on tour. Her court coverage and defensive retrieval skills are elite, allowing her to turn defense into offense instantly. However, her aggressive game plan relies heavily on a high-risk, high-reward serve.
| Racket | Head Boom MP (Custom layup) |
| Apparel & Shoes | New Balance (Signature Shoe: Coco CG2) |
| Forehand Grip | Extreme Western (Undergoing modification to a more conservative grip for consistency) |
| Backhand | Two-handed (Considered one of the best in the world) |
The “Coco CG2” and Endorsements
Off the court, Gauff is a marketing juggernaut. Her partnership with New Balance remains her most visible endorsement, with the release of the Coco CG2 in 2024 receiving critical acclaim for its stability and retro-inspired aesthetics. In 2025, she was ranked as the highest-paid female athlete in the world for the second consecutive year, with an estimated net worth of $35 million. Her portfolio includes major deals with Bose, Rolex, Barilla, and Ray-Ban (Meta smart glasses).
WTA Ranking and Statistics (Jan 2026)
Despite her quarterfinal exit in Melbourne, Gauff remains firmly entrenched in the Top 5.
- Current Ranking: World No. 3 (Projected to drop to No. 4 depending on AO 2026 finals results).
- 2025 Season Record: 48–16 (75% Win Rate).
- Career Prize Money: Surpassed $30 Million in early 2026.
- Key Rivalries: vs. Iga Świątek (Clay/Slow Hard), vs. Aryna Sabalenka (Fast Hard/Slams).
Future Outlook
The 2026 season presents a pivotal moment for Gauff. With the “sophomore slump” of her post-major win years behind her, the focus is now on technical stabilization. If Gavin MacMillan’s biomechanical adjustments to her serve take root, Gauff possesses the athleticism and mental fortitude to dominate the tour and reclaim the World No. 1 ranking. Her performance at the upcoming “Sunshine Double” (Indian Wells and Miami) will be a critical litmus test for these changes.
In-Depth Q&A
Q: Who is Coco Gauff’s coach in 2026?
As of January 2026, Coco Gauff is coached by Jean-Christophe Faurel and biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan, whom she hired in August 2025 to improve her serve.
Q: How many Grand Slam titles has Coco Gauff won?
Coco Gauff has won two Grand Slam singles titles: the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open.
Q: Did Coco Gauff win the 2026 Australian Open?
No, Coco Gauff lost in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Australian Open to Elina Svitolina (6-1, 6-2).
Q: What is Coco Gauff’s current ranking?
Coco Gauff is currently ranked World No. 3 by the WTA, though she is projected to fluctuate within the Top 5 following the 2026 Australian Open.
Q: What tennis shoes does Coco Gauff wear?
Coco Gauff wears her signature New Balance tennis shoes, the Coco CG2, which were released in 2024.
