Gauff fires coach Daly ahead of US Open start

Two-time major champion and current world No. 3 Coco Gauff has fired her coach Matthew Daly, just days before the start of the US Open.

Daly confirmed his dismissal to tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg on Wednesday. Daly has yet to respond to ESPN's request for comment.

Daly told Rothenberg it had happened "recently" but deferred to Gauff to make a formal announcement. "Only have good things to say about Coco, enjoyed working with her," Daly said.

Gauff hired Daly, known as a grip specialist, last year after parting ways with Brad Gilbert following a disappointing result at the US Open. Working alongside her longtime coach Jean-Christophe Faurel, Daly spent several weeks working with Gauff ahead of the China Open and they focused on changing her grip on serve, among other technical and tactical details.

Gauff went on to win the China Open and ended the season as the WTA Finals champion.

This season, with Daly and Faurel as her coaches, Gauff won the title at the French Open and reached the finals at the Madrid Open and the Italian Open, both 1000-level events. She also claimed the doubles title this month at the Canadian Open, alongside McCartney Kessler.

While Gauff has yet to announce any changes to her team, she was seen on court during her practice session Wednesday with Faurel and Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics specialist who previously helped world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with her serve. Gauff has struggled at times with her serve since her triumph in Paris and has won just four matches in her four events since.

The US Open main draw gets underway Sunday in Queens. Gauff, the 2023 champion, is expected to first play in an exhibition event Thursday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.