File image of Brad Gilbert trying on as Coco Gauff practises forward of the 2024 US Open
| Picture Credit score: Getty Photographs by way of AFP
Coco Gauff cut up from coach Brad Gilbert after greater than a 12 months and one Grand Slam title collectively, the pair introduced by way of separate messages on social media.
The tip of their partnership comes a number of weeks after Gauff’s defence of her 2023 championship on the U.S. Open unraveled amid 19 double-faults throughout a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 loss to Emma Navarro within the fourth spherical at Flushing Meadows.
That September 1 loss was the most recent in a collection of disappointing leads to latest months for Gauff, a 20-year-old American who not too long ago dropped from No. 3 to No. 6 within the WTA rankings.
It was after a first-round exit at Wimbledon final season that Gauff actually took off with the assistance of the teaching duo of Gilbert and Pere Riba. Riba wasn’t together with her this 12 months.
Gauff went 22-1 throughout a stretch in 2023 that included trophies at Washington, Cincinnati and the U.S. Open — her first at a serious match — all whereas nonetheless a young person.
Thank-you messages
Gilbert posted a thank-you Wednesday on social media to Gauff “and all the workforce for a fully superb summer time run in 2023 and for 14 months of unbelievable workforce effort.”
“Coco, at simply 20 years younger, your future is extremely brilliant, and I want you nothing however continued success forward,” wrote Gilbert, a former professional who has labored with gamers corresponding to Andre Agassi, Andy Murray and Andy Roddick prior to now. “I am excited for the subsequent chapter in my teaching profession.”
In her message Wednesday, Gauff thanked Gilbert and added: “We had an unbelievable run and I want you all the perfect sooner or later!”
Their tenure additionally included semifinal appearances by Gauff on the Australian Open this January and French Open this June — shedding to the eventual champions at each.
At Wimbledon in July, Gauff departed within the fourth spherical — additionally in opposition to Navarro — and there have been some mid-match back-and-forths between Gauff and Gilbert at Centre Courtroom over what an alternate sport plan could be.
“I felt like I wished extra path,” Gauff mentioned after that match.
She exited within the third spherical of singles on the Paris Olympics after being the feminine flag bearer for the U.S. workforce. Gauff then bowed out in ladies’s doubles and combined doubles on the Summer time Video games with a few losses on the identical day in her second matches in each of these occasions.
After shifting from the crimson clay there to the laborious courts, Gauff went 1-2 at Toronto and the Cincinnati Open within the lead-up to returning to the U.S. Open because the reigning champion.
Revealed – September 19, 2024 11:01 am IST
