Coco Gauff confirms plans to repeat Serena Williams as she eyes robust Wimbledon

Wimbledon hopeful Coco Gauff has confirmed that she might be set to work with the previous childhood coach of Serena and Venus Williams after her father held talks with Rick Macci. But first, the 19-year-old will concentrate on issues in SW19 as she launches an try to win her first grand slam on the grass courts of the All England Club.

Gauff will meet fellow American Sofia Kenin on Court 1 at this time because the First Round will get underway and the seventh seed may have excessive expectations after reaching the semifinals of the Rothesay International at Eastbourne final week.

But adjustments might be afoot additional down the road for a participant who has already gained three WTA titles however is focusing on higher heights. Renowned coach Macci, labored with each Williams sisters earlier than their father Richard Williams took on the function himself full-time.

Based in Florida, Macci has a confirmed observe report, having coached a few of the sport’s different prime stars, together with Jennifer Capriati, Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova and has been named USPTA coach of the 12 months on seven events.

Speaking at her pre-tournament press convention forward of the Wimbledon Championships, Gauff confirmed that if an settlement is reached, she’s going to work with Macci from the top of the 12 months.

She stated: “I haven’t spoken to Rick personally. But, yes, him and my dad converse a lot. Not just now but over the years. Yeah, that was one of the options to do that after the season is over. Obviously it’s far from now, so I can’t really confirm. But, yeah, I believe, based off what you told me, everything is true.”

The teenager has arrived at Wimbledon ranked seventh on the earth for singles, having reached a career-high of fourth final October. Already a profitable doubles participant, she beat her common companion Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-3 within the quarter-finals at Eastbourne earlier than dropping by the identical scoreline to eventual winner Maddison Keys within the semi-final.

Despite falling simply in need of a triumph on the conventional Wimbledon warm-up occasion Gauff insists that it was a passable preparation for the main enterprise in SW19.

She stated: Honestly, it was an excellent event for me. I gained numerous confidence there. Had a pair good wins. My first top-10 win shortly. I’m actually assured going into this event.

Obviously, the final match did not go how I needed it to. I actually suppose I may have modified some issues within the match, too. But I believe Madison performed a extremely good match. I’m hoping to be taught from that, fight that, and produce the identical momentum into these subsequent two weeks.”

On the prospect of facing Kenin in the first round – a player with similar attributes to herself – she added: “Her recreation is fairly related. I believe I simply bought higher. Obviously, she was in a troublesome spot earlier this 12 months. I believe coming by way of qualifying, she’ll have much more confidence, so I’m not anticipating a straightforward match in any respect. It’s going to be a troublesome match.

“Her game is, I don’t know, a tough game to play against. She has a couple weapons, underrated weapons, that I don’t think people speak about as much. But, yeah, I think it will be a tough match.”