After her stint at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Coco Gauff has arrived in California for the upcoming Indian Wells tournament. However, not every member of her coaching staff has reached California.
Due to the raging war in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, people in Dubai are stranded because of airspace closure. Among them is Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics specialist who is focused on improving Gauff’s serve and overall technique. The two-time Grand Slam champion hired MacMillan in August after parting ways with coach Matt Daly.
Ahead of her Indian Wells Open campaign, Gauff shared the whereabouts of her biomechanics specialist.
“Yeah, my coach, Gavin, is actually there right now, he’s currently stuck, and I don’t know if he’s going to make it. I just want him to be safe,” Gauff said. “I don’t know when he can leave and things like that. We are just taking it day by day with him.”
MacMillan is not the only one who is left stranded in Dubai. After Iran struck US bases in the Middle East regions, the United Arab Emirates closed its airspace, preventing over 40 ATP players, staff and officials from leaving on flights.
While Coco Gauff might feel the absence of Gavin MacMillan, she will be coached by Jean-Christophe Faurel at the tournament. Gauff hired Faurel in August 2019. They split up in 2020 due to visa issues, but reconnected in April 2024. He has been working with Gauff since she was just 14 and has played a big part in her success at the 2019 Wimbledon and 2019 US Open.
Coco Gauff Shared Disappointing Reaction on Middle East War
No one likes a war. Coco Gauff certainly doesn’t, as she prayed for those families who lost their loved ones because of the ongoing war.
“Yeah, I mean, I guess, first off, what’s happening is unfortunate, and my thoughts and prayers are out there for everyone affected, innocent lives being taken. I think it’s a lot of unnecessary violence going on,” the world No 4 said.
However, the American also shared that she has never felt unsafe playing in the Middle East.
Yeah, I have never felt unsafe there, I’ve never really felt unsafe in a lot of parts of the world,” Gauff said. “It’s one of the things that, yeah, violence can happen, but it can happen in different forms. For example, in the U.S. we do have a lot of mass shootings and there’s always uncertainty with that.
“Yeah, and I don’t think, you know, a lot of hate is being towards the Middle East, but I think it’s just a lot of unfortunate circumstances that are happening right now, and the timing of everything makes it difficult that there are the guys that are there still.”
Gauff might have to do without Gavin MacMillan in the upcoming BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
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