Quick Read
- Coco Gauff publicly confronted her biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan during her Dubai Open semifinal match on February 20, 2026.
- She shouted, “I’ve been doing everything you’ve wanted for the last 6 months, and it’s not getting any better,” after a double fault.
- MacMillan was hired in September 2025 specifically to improve Gauff’s struggling serve and forehand.
- The outburst highlights a lack of perceived progress in these key areas despite six months of specialized coaching.
DUBAI (Azat TV) – Tennis sensation Coco Gauff publicly expressed deep frustration with her biomechanics coach, Gavin MacMillan, during her Dubai Open semifinal match against Elina Svitolina on Friday, February 20, 2026. This highly visible outburst, occurring after a double fault, signals a critical juncture in her coaching relationship and raises significant questions about her ongoing struggles with key aspects of her game six months into their collaboration.
The 21-year-old American, known for her composure and fierce competitive spirit, shouted towards her coaching box, stating, “I’ve been doing everything you’ve wanted for the last 6 months, and it’s not getting any better.” The comment, reported by The Tennis Gazette, came amidst a period where Gauff’s serve and forehand have continued to be areas of vulnerability, seemingly crippling her ability to consistently challenge the sport’s top players.
Coco Gauff Expresses Mid-Match Frustration
Gauff’s candid remarks underscore the mounting pressure she faces to improve her game. Her frustration manifested during a crucial point in the semifinal, highlighting the emotional toll that persistent technical issues can take on even the most talented athletes. While Gauff has consistently demonstrated a never-say-die attitude, which has allowed her to secure victories despite these challenges, the public nature of this outburst suggests a deeper level of exasperation with the lack of progress.
The incident is particularly notable given Gauff’s recent performance in the tournament. Just a day prior, in her quarterfinal match against Alexandra Eala, Gauff showcased her mental fortitude by effectively channeling a largely pro-Eala crowd. As reported by Tennis.com, she humorously explained her strategy, stating, “Whenever you guys were cheering for Alex, I was pretending it was my name. I think that it helped me a lot!” This ability to thrive under crowd pressure contrasts sharply with the technical frustration she displayed in the subsequent semifinal, emphasizing that her current struggles are rooted in specific mechanical issues rather than mental weakness.
The Role of Biomechanics Coach Gavin MacMillan
Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics coach, was brought into Gauff’s team in September of last year (2025) with the specific mandate to overhaul and reengineer her serve and forehand. The expectation was that MacMillan’s specialized expertise would transform these weaker elements into consistent strengths, positioning Gauff as a more formidable and reliable contender on the WTA Tour. However, Gauff’s recent outburst indicates that these critical improvements have not materialized as anticipated.
Sources close to her team had indicated that the hiring of MacMillan was a strategic move aimed at addressing the fundamental mechanics that have plagued her game. Despite his renowned expertise, Gauff’s public statement suggests that the prescribed training and adjustments over the past six months have failed to yield the desired results, leaving her feeling powerless against top-tier opponents like Elina Svitolina.
Persistent Struggles and Coaching Crossroads for Coco Gauff
The lack of visible improvement in Gauff’s serve and forehand has been a recurring theme in recent analyses of her performance. While her athleticism and defensive skills remain elite, her forehand continues to misfire, and her serve is prone to double faults at critical moments. Some observers have even suggested that her game, particularly in these areas, has regressed from where it stood two years ago. This stagnation, despite the dedicated efforts of a specialized coach, puts both Gauff and her coaching staff at a crossroads.
Gauff’s frustration is understandable given the high stakes of professional tennis and her ambition to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Her public comments during the Dubai Open semifinal could signify a turning point in her coaching arrangement, potentially leading to a reevaluation of her team’s structure and strategy. The pressure to perform at the highest level, coupled with a perceived lack of progress on fundamental technical issues, underscores the significant challenges Gauff faces as she navigates the 2026 season.
The public display of frustration from Coco Gauff, a player typically known for her composed demeanor, highlights the immense pressure and expectations placed upon her. This incident, occurring after six months of dedicated work with a specialized coach, suggests that the technical issues are more deeply entrenched than previously understood and could precipitate significant changes within her support team, impacting her trajectory for the remainder of the 2026 season.