We all acknowledged speculations surrounding a potential change in Coco Gauff‘s coaching camp. And, eventually headlining the sport, Gauff broke up with Brad Gilbert as a coach. However, this wasn’t a shocker. Gauff’s poor form reaching the climax has been recognized by two notable personalities now.
Let’s not get it twisted, Gauff and the American coach stormed the WTA Tour with stellar results. For those unaware, the 20-year-old bagged the 2023 US Open, the ultimate steal she acquired after decorating herself with the Cincinnati Masters crown. However, this year, Gauff’s performance derailed. Despite enjoying modest success in the season’s first half, the former World No. 2 was plagued with below-par form following her French Open run.
Not only did Gauff’s Paris Olympics campaign bear no fruition, but her title defense in New York ended with a shock fourth-round exit. With Gilbert catching flak from fans for not rectifying her troubles, the duo was bound to be on the outs. This, in turn, has been recognized in full by Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim.
Marking his presence on Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast,’ Roddick queried about Wertheim’s first-hand take on their split. The prominent journalist candidly cited how the nascent relationship turned sour after Gauff’s Flushing Meadows nightmare. Stressing the sport’s ‘small town talk,’ Wertheim highlighted hearing whispers surrounding the duo’s break up before the young American publicized the announcement. It is worth noting that Gilbert confirmed their split in a statement saying, “Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead. Thanks to Coco and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and 14 months of incredible team effort.”
Wertheim said, “This was a relationship that had great success a year ago but relationships can get stale. At the US Open, it was pretty clear. This was in its waving days. They won a Major together, and had great success, retrospective – helped them both reputationally but I don’t think this was a great shock. You sort of hear chatter about what relationships are frayed.” However, this was previously touched by Roddick as well.
The 42-year-old made an honest admission surrounding Gauff’s situation, extending his insight into how the young talent can proceed with hiring a suitable replacement.
Andy Roddick assesses Coco Gauff’s coaching situation
American superstar Coco Gauff will be in the market to hunt for a suitable coaching replacement. However, Andy Roddick noted that the former World No. 2 shouldn’t fret. Highlighting his take on the situation during an episode of his podcast, Roddick suggested that Gauff shouldn’t take any decision in haste, opining that an immediate coaching hire is uncalled for.
He said, “I’ve spent some time with Brad (Gilbert) after they lost the US Open. I don’t think she (Coco Gauff) has to be in a rush (to find a new coach). JC Farrell, who I used to play juniors with, has been on that bag for months now. So it’s not as if, ‘I can’t go play tournaments in the Asian swing and the European swing because I have nobody’. That’s not the case, right?”
Coco Gauff is currently faring without a coach, as she attends the Asian swing. As of now, the 20-year-old is scheduled to perform in the China Open in Beijing, wherein her opening round clash is slated to showcase on Friday, September 27.
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