Coco Gauff Part Ways With Coach
BY: OSABUOHIEN IMUETINYANOSA
Reaching the final has become impossible for Coco Gauff who has not reached a final since winning the Auckland title on 7 January.
Coco Gauff has parted ways with her coach Brad Gilbert after a short but successful partnership. The American took this decision after failing to defend her US Open title recently.
Gauff teamed up with Gilbert in July 2023, with him initially joining her team as a consultant before becoming her head coach. Together, they secured four titles, including her first Grand Slam and she also reached a career-high ranking of World No. 2. The pair’s other victories came in Cincinnati, the Citi Open, and Auckland, alongside semifinal appearances at the Australian and French Open this year.However, the American’s form began to decline around Wimbledon, where she failed to advance past the fourth round. This was followed by underwhelming performances in both Canada and Cincinnati before she was knocked out in the fourth round by fellow American Emma Navarro at Flushing Meadows. She has also yet to win a title this season.
Gauff, 20, won the first major of her career in New York last year under Gilbert’s guidance.
But she lost in the fourth round to fellow American Emma Navarro this year.
“Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead,” Gilbert, who also coached former Grand Slam champions Andre Agassi, Andy Murray and Andy Roddick, wrote on X.
“I’m excited for the next chapter in my coaching career.”
Gauff hired Gilbert to work alongside Spanish coach Pere Riba after a chastening first-round exit at Wimbledon last year.That led to a turnaround in fortune as Gauff won 18 of her next 19 matches in her home hard-court swing, leading to title victories in Washington, Cincinnati and New York.
Beating Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final was a career-best 12th victory in a row.
Riba left the team in November to leave Gilbert as the sole main coach.
This year, Gauff has not reached a final since defending the Auckland title in January.
After runs to the Australian Open and French Open semi-finals, she was beaten in the Wimbledon fourth round and reached the same stage at the US Open.
Fragility with her serve – having hit 19 double faults against Navarro – and forehand raised questions about whether she would continue with Gilbert.
“Thanks to Coco and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort,” added 63-year-old Gilbert.
The World No. 6’s tournament next stop is the China Open, a WTA 1000 tournament. She had a strong showing there last year, advancing to the semifinals before being defeated by eventual champion Iga Swiatek.Gauff will look to take her performance a step further this year by reaching the championship match. However, this will be no easy feat, especially with her coaching change. She will now lean solely on Jean-Cristophe Faurel, who worked alongside Brad Gilbert. A tough restart for Coco but with such promising future she could turn the table to her favour.
