Coco Gauff and coach Brad Gilbert have decided to part ways after more than a year of working together, the two revealed in separate social media posts on Wednesday. This split follows Gauff’s disappointing performance at the U.S. Open where she was unable to defend her 2023 title, falling to Emma Navarro in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows with 19 double faults.
Gauff, who recently dropped from No. 3 to No. 6 in the WTA rankings, had been experiencing a series of underwhelming results leading up to her exit at the U.S. Open. The 20-year-old American had an impressive run in 2023 under the guidance of Gilbert and Pere Riba, which included victories at Washington, Cincinnati, and the U.S. Open – her first major title – all achieved while she was still a teenager.
Gilbert expressed gratitude to Gauff and the entire team for their collaboration and the successful summer run in 2023. He acknowledged Gauff’s talent and wished her ongoing success in her career, while also mentioning his enthusiasm for the next chapter in his coaching journey.
Expressing her appreciation to Gilbert, Gauff shared a message of thanks and well wishes for his future endeavors. Their coaching partnership saw Gauff reach the semifinals at the Australian Open and French Open, where she was defeated by the eventual champions.
Following her Wimbledon exit in the fourth round, Gauff faced some challenges and communication issues with Gilbert during the match. This encounter led to Gauff expressing a desire for more direction in her game. Gauff’s performance at the Paris Olympics and subsequent tournaments did not meet the high standard she had set for herself, culminating in a lackluster 1-2 record in Toronto and Cincinnati before her disappointing U.S. Open campaign.
While the split marks the end of a successful partnership between Gauff and Gilbert, both parties are optimistic about their future prospects in the tennis world.
