Shortly after her title defense at the 2024 US Open ended in a shock fourth-round loss to Emma Navarro, Gauff decided to end her 14-month partnership with Gilbert.Gilbert appeared on ESPN after the 20-year-old’s defeat at the New York Major. He was joined by Stubbs who did not hold back in her sharp criticism of Gauff’s “bad technique,” specifically analyzing the issues with the World No. 6’s serve and grip.
“So under pressure, bad technique breaks down and her technique is…hard for me to say because Brad [Gilbert] is sitting here…but her technique, the elbow, is too low, the grip is a little weird as well. So it’s hard for her to get that nice first serve and then the same or similar second serve,” Stubbs said.
Given the Australian’s insightful breakdown of the technical flaws in Coco Gauff’s serve, a fan questioned why she hadn’t stepped in as the World No. 6’s new coach during the latest “Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast” episode.However, Stubbs clarified that the decision was not in her hands, emphasizing that the choice would be made by the 20-year-old in conjunction with her parents and her agent.
“Because I don’t make those decisions Joe. Those decisions with any coaching situation comes from the agent. In respect to Coco Gauff, I would imagine her agent, her parents and then Coco. And the three of those will talk among themselves, I’m sure,” she said.
Nevertheless, Stubbs expressed her interest in potentially coaching Gauff, emphasizing her immense respect for the 20-year-old’s work ethic and character.
“Of course, I would do it. I mean I wouldn’t say no to opportunity with a great player, there’s no way. But that’s not a decision for me to make. I love Coco, I think she’s an incredible kid. And I can say kid because she’s like more than half my age,” Stubbs said.
“I think she’s an incredibly hard worker, I respect the heck out of her. She has only ever been an amazing person to be around. She responds to you, she looks you in the eye,” she added.
“I just hope whoever Coco Gauff chooses has a tremendous amount of experience” – Rennae Stubbs
Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs said on her podcast that Coco Gauff had appeared increasingly “stressed” over the past year as she struggled to reach the same heights of success after her triumph at the 2023 US Open.
“I do see she’s a lot more stressed on the court over the last 12 months. I don’t know why. I think a lot of that has to do with just not having the success she wanted to have immediately after winning the US Open. So, it’s a lot on her shoulders.”
Stubbs also hoped that the American would hire an experienced coach who wouldn’t shy away from addressing the technical flaws in her game.
“I just hope whoever she chooses has a tremendous amount of experience and can work on the little technical flaws and not be afraid to work on those technical flaws,” Stubbs added.
Gauff recently arrived in Beijing for the WTA 1000 China Open without a new coach by her side. The 20-year-old took the opportunity to explore the Great Wall of China with her mother Candi ahead of her opening match against Clara Burel or Tamara Korpatsch.
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