American tennis star Coco Gauff has been advised by Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, to focus on refining her technique and making key adjustments to her game, rather than taking long vacations during the offseason. The WTA offseason is already underway, and the two-time Grand Slam champion is enjoying quality time with her boyfriend, Jalen Sera.
The 2025 season proved to be a roller-coaster for Gauff. The American closed the year with a strong 48–16 record and now holds the No. 3 spot in the WTA rankings. She captured her second Grand Slam title at the French Open in June, yet also endured an extended title drought before finally winning her second title of the season in Wuhan.
Serena Williams’ Former Coach Has a Suggestion for Coco Gauff During Offseason
Gauff’s strong season earned her a spot at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. However, she fell short of expectations at the year-end event, managing only one group-stage win against Jasmine Paolini before bowing out of the competition.
With the start of the offseason came a much-needed chance for the American to unwind, and she had the company of her boyfriend, Jalen Sera, a musician and aspiring actor from Atlanta, Georgia. The couple took a short getaway to Los Angeles, visiting the Jeffrey Deitch Gallery to explore a range of distinctive artworks, and later attended the Camp Flog Gnaw festival, just as they had the year before.
Although Gauff appeared intent on taking some time to recharge before the new season, Williams’ former coach Rick Macci offered a different perspective. He emphasized that the offseason can be utilized for technical and strategic adjustments, rather than extended vacations.
“In the off season is not really when you getter. It is the time to work on a technical adaptations or a strategic modification and no go on too long a vacation. What you add or subtract you use to help stay on track. You get better when you use it in live battle and see if it holds up or you feel the shake and rattle,” he wrote on X.
In the off season is not really when you getter. It is the time to work on a technical adaptations or a strategic modification and no go on too long a vacation. What you add or subtract you use to help stay on track. You get better when you use it in live battle and see if it…
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) November 24, 2025
It remains to be seen when Gauff will put Macci’s advice into action. The American will aim to elevate her performance next season and contend for another Major title to add to her cabinet.