In a surprising turn of events, Coco Gauff has ended her coaching relationship with Brad Gilbert after a fruitful 14-month partnership. This decision comes on the heels of a series of mixed performances, including a “disappointing” defense of her US Open title.
Gauff, 20, achieved significant milestones under Gilbert’s guidance, notably winning her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open and reaching a career-high world No. 2 ranking in June 2024. However, recent challenges, such as early exits at Wimbledon and the US Open, led to this unexpected split.
Following the separation, Gauff made swift changes to her coaching team, bringing in Matt Daly and Jean-Christophe Faurel ahead of the China Open. She emphasized the importance of a reliable serve as the foundation of her strategy, aiming to address recent inconsistencies.
This coaching change appears to have revitalized Gauff’s game. She clinched the WTA Finals title in Saudi Arabia, overcoming Qinwen Zheng in a thrilling comeback, and secured the largest prize in WTA Tour history. This victory reaffirmed her status as a top contender in women’s tennis.
Looking ahead, Gauff’s recent performances suggest a renewed focus and determination. With her new coaching setup, she is poised to tackle upcoming challenges and continue her ascent in the tennis world.
