Jim Courier: A movie will be made about “inspirational” Coco Gauff after US Open struggles

NEW YORK—Win or lose, Coco Gauff is having a US Open to remember after reaching the third round amid emotional upheaval and major technical changes to her serve.

The No. 3 seed, Gauff served seven double faults and was near tears in the opening set of her second-round clash with Donna Vekic, but ultimately tightened up her technique to defeat the 2024 Olympic silver medalist, 7-6 (5), 6-2. Both the result and Gauff’s determination drew praise from the Tennis Channel Live at the US Open panel Friday morning.

“Big picture, this is a remarkable story of resilience in an athlete,” said Jim Courier, former world No. 1. “She is so vulnerable in full view at the biggest tennis tournament in America. She’s the centerpiece of this tournament.

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“With what she’s doing, this will happen at some point: there is going to be a movie on her life, whether it’s a documentary or a feature film like King Richard. This will be a big part of that because I’m sure this is going to be a pivot point with her serve, and it’s going to be something she will ultimately put behind her. But the emotions of these moments, it is really theatrical. She is inspirational for all of us, incredible.”

Lindsay Davenport called Gauff’s mid-match emotions “heartbreaking” as the reigning Roland Garros champion struggled to employ changes made by biomechanic coach Gavin MacMillan, an expert hired after Gauff’s serving woes carried throughout the US Open swing.

MacMillan famously reworked the serve of Aryna Sabalenka, who went on to win three Grand Slam titles and rise to her current spot as world No. 1.

“In tennis, what you don’t want to do is overthink,” said Davenport, a fellow former No. 1 and 1998 US Open champion. “She’s now trying to learn new grips and new technique, and it’s just all too much for her.

“It seems like everyone’s got to take a step back and just say, ‘You know what? Just go play. Go try and figure out this last major of the year. Then we can catch our breath.’”

In her visit to the TC Live desk, Martina Navratilova is also waiting for Gauff to exhale, the 18-time Grand Slam champion questioning the wisdom of attempting a technical overhaul in the midst of a major tournament.

“If you’re trying something new and you have no idea how it’s going to turn out, especially when you don’t have any confidence, you really need to do it in a quiet space,” advised Navratilova. “I don’t want anybody watching me except my coach and the cameras doing the video so I can figure it out.”

Chanda Rubin was more optimistic about Gauff’s chances in Flushing Meadows, noting the 2023 champion’s marked improvements in the second set versus Vekic, and from a tense first-round against Ajla Tomljanovic.

“Overall, this was not a bad match in terms of numbers,” said Rubin, a 1996 Australian Open semifinalist. “In terms of her serving and the double faults in the first set, it was the timing of it and it was all of the stress, all of the emotion she’s been dealing with. It was about much more than just the X’s and O’s on the court.

I’m sure this is going to be a pivot point with her serve, and it’s going to be something she will ultimately put behind her. But the emotions of these moments, it is really theatrical. Jim Courier on Coco Gauff

“I think we saw, again, how impressive Gauff is, the fact that she was able to turn that first set around. She was able to dig in and somehow win it. At times, she was visibly shaking during the changeovers and it was just so incredible how she, once again, dug in and didn’t let the moment overwhelm her completely. Getting that first set was huge and she was able to run away with the second set in the end.”

Gauff will be back on court on Saturday when she takes on No. 28 seed Magdalena Freçh for the chance to reach the second week of the US Open for a fourth straight year.