Coco Gauff has decided to part ways with her coach Brad Gilbert after a disappointing US Open. The world no. 6 was eliminated in the fourth round at the Flushing Meadows and also faced early exits in pre-tournament events in Toronto and Cincinnati.
Gilbert played a key role in coaching Gauff to her first Grand Slam title in New York last year, but she was unable to replicate the performance this time around.
“Thanks to @CocoGauff and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort,” Gilbert, who got to No. 4 in the world during a 13-year playing career, Gibert wrote on X.
“Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead. I’m excited for the next chapter in my coaching career.”
Thanks 🙏 to @CocoGauff and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort. Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead. I’m excited for the next…
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) September 18, 2024
Later on Wednesday, Gauff expressed her gratitude to her former coach in a post on social media. “We had an incredible run and I wish you all the best in the future!” Gauff wrote on X.
Thank you @bgtennisnation ! We had an incredible run and I wish you all the best in the future! pic.twitter.com/5A2pzJjHUB
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) September 18, 2024
After the US Open triumph last year, Gauff reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and French Open this year. However, tensions between Gauff and fellow American Gilbert were evident at Wimbledon, where the former expressed her frustration by shouting at him during her fourth-round loss to fellow American Emma Navarro. There were several mid-match exchanges between Gauff and Gilbert on Centre Court regarding potential adjustments to the game plan.
“I felt like I wanted more direction from my team,” Gauff said after that match.
Gauff was eliminated in the third round of singles at the Paris Olympics after serving as the female flag bearer for the US team. She later exited the Paris Games in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles, suffering back-to-back losses in her second match in each event.
Gilbert received heavy criticism for Gauff’s body language this summer with Serena Williams blaming him for her ‘lack of confidence and motivation’.
The 20-year-old hired Gilbert last year, initially as a co-coach along with Spain’s Pere Riba. Gauff had a sizzling start under the new coaches, winning Washington DC, Cincinnati, and famously the US Open. Under Gilbert’s guidance, she reached her career-high ranking of World No. 2 in June when she also lifted her first Doubles Grand Slam tournament along with Katerina Siniakova at the French Open.
Following a disappointing home Grand Slam, Gauff will return to action at the WTA 1000 in Beijing, China, starting on September 25 where she was the semifinalist last year.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
