American world number six Coco Gauff has ended her partnership with coach Brad Gilbert just two weeks after what she described as a “disappointing” US Open title defence.
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.
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How Gauff’s ‘learning curve’ led to US Open title
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 a lack of consistency with her 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.
Coco Gauff’s coach criticized by Rennae Stubbs as they share panel in extremely awkward ESPN moment
Rennae Stubbs didn’t mince words when discussing Coco Gauff’s fourth-round exit Sunday at the U.S. Open, airing her grievances as the American phenom’s coach sat on the same panel.
While dissecting Gauff’s three-set loss to Emma Navarro on ESPN’s panel, Stubbs — a former world doubles No. 1 who coached Serena Williams during the 2022 U.S. Open — called attention to the 20-year-old’s confidence and technique but acknowledged the awkwardness of doing so with Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert, sharing the panel with her.
“Where is Coco’s confidence?” Stubbs said, according to the Daily Mail. “There’s no second serve, that’s the sign. And that’s a problem.
“So under pressure, bad technique breaks down and her technique is … hard for me to say because Brad is sitting here … but her technique, the elbow, is too low, the grip is a little weird as well.”
Gilbert, a former tennis pro who has coached the likes of Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, has been the subject of immense criticism in the wake of Gauff’s defeat to compatriot Navarro, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
“Brad Gilbert going on air spinning the Gauff loss while she’s in the press conference room is just too cringe for me to watch tbh,” X user Stephanie Myles wrote.
It’s a stark difference from a year ago when Gilbert had joined Gauff’s team as she went on an incredible summer run, which ended with her claiming the U.S. Open.
Gauff, who had 60 unforced errors Sunday, looked to her box in Flushing and said, “Tell me something!”
It’s similar circumstances to what unfolded in Wimbledon earlier this summer when Gauff also lost to Navarro, 6-4, 6-3, in the Round of 16.
Gauff also pleaded with her coaching box for advice during that match.
“I don’t think we were all in sync,” Gauff said after the Wimbledon loss, according to SI.com. “It’s no one’s blame except myself. I mean, I’m the player out there. I have to make decisions for myself on the court.”
The Florida native spoke about mechanics after Monday’s defeat ender her title defense.
“I go down on my left side a lot on my serve, and it’s something I’m aware of, but it’s tough in the moment to, I guess, try not to do it,” she said, according to the Associated Press.
The 23-year-old Navarro will next face Spain’s Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
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