Coco Gauff Parts Ways with Brad Gilbert Following US Open Disappointment

In a surprising turn of events, World No. 6 Coco Gauff and her coach Brad Gilbert are parting ways following a disappointing fourth-round exit at the US Open. Gilbert, who announced the news on X, expressed gratitude for the time spent coaching Gauff and looked forward to his next career chapter.

Gauff’s journey with Gilbert included a significant highlight—a victory at her first Grand Slam tournament in New York last year. However, her title defense was marred by disappointing early exits in the lead-up tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati.

Gilbert took to social media to share his appreciation, thanking Gauff and her entire team for “an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023” and for 14 months of a devoted coaching experience. He emphasized the young athlete’s potential, stating, “Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead.”

The split comes after Gauff had a breakout year, which included remarkable performances in two of the other Grand Slam events, where she reached the semifinals at both the Australian Open and the French Open.

Despite these successes, there were evident moments of tension between Gauff and Gilbert. Notably, during her match at Wimbledon, Gauff expressed her frustration vocally towards her coach during a fourth-round match against Emma Navarro, indicating that their relationship may have faced challenges.

As Gauff moves forward, she will seek a new coaching direction to complement her undeniable talent and aspirations in the sport. It’s a pivotal time for the young athlete as she aims to solidify her place among the elite in women’s tennis.

With Gilbert’s departure, not only is Gauff left to navigate her career path independently, but Gilbert is also set to explore new coaching opportunities. His experience as a player who reached No. 4 in the world and his insights from coaching some of the rising stars of tennis will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to whoever he chooses to work with next.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Gauff adapts to this change in her training environment, especially considering her ambitious goals for the upcoming seasons. The tennis community is well aware that seeing Gauff thrive next will depend significantly on her ability to find the right coaching fit that matches her competitive spirit and growth as a player.

The tennis world watches closely as news of these changes unfolds, offering both support and interest in Gauff’s next moves. Will she bring in a new face that can resonate with her vision or will she opt for an unorthodox approach by focusing solely on her game for the time being?

As the dust settles after this coaching split, all eyes will remain on Gauff to witness how she capitalizes on her promising potential going forward. Many believe that her best years are still ahead of her, backed by her impressive talent and a desire to continually evolve in her craft.