In the middle of the 2023 season, Coco Gauff made a massive rejig in her coaching team. She teamed up with legendary coach, Brad Gilbert, who started out as her mentor and later became her full-time coach. The pair tasted instant success, as Gauff went on to win her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open. However, a year later, things don’t look as bright as expected for the pair of Gauff and Gilbert.
Earlier today, Brad Gilbert appeared for an interview on CNBC, where he talked about the ongoing US Open and his assessment of Gauff’s performance there. When the interviewer mentioned that the relationships don’t last forever and if that would be the case with his relationship with Coco as well, Gilbert gave an interesting response which further fueled their separation rumors. “It’s been a good 14 months. She has accomplished a lot and the great thing is, she has a huge upside at 20. She is a great kid, who works hard and good things will happen for her. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a great tournament for her,” Gilbert said.
While he praised Gauff, Gilbert ducked the actual question altogether, which was about the future of his relationship with the American star. Moving ahead with his assessment, BG praised the other American players, namely Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula, who are still active in the tournament. He also highlighted that on the men’s side, it’s the first all-American semi in the US Open since 2005, with Fritz and Tiafoe going head to head. But not at any stage, Gilbert gave a clear indication if he would continue working with Gauff or not.
Following her exploits in 2023, much was expected out of Coco Gauff this year. However, she has had a disappointing run, even though she won the women’s doubles title at the French Open. In the ongoing US Open, Gauff suffered a shock defeat in the fourth round against her compatriot, Emma Navarro. As a result, there have been talks in the tennis circuit about cracks in the relationship between the American star and her legendary coach.
Coco Gauff has managed to win just a solitary tournament this season in singles, which was the ASB Classic at the beginning of the season. Going by her standards, she would be disappointed with her overall performance this year. However, if Gilbert does part ways with Gauff, there is another famous name waiting in the wings to be her coach.
Nick Kyrgios offers to coach Coco Gauff after backlash on her performances
Owing to her poor performances of late, Gauff has faced much criticism from fans on social media. Before her US Open exit, the American star disappointed the fans at the Paris Olympic Games as well, where she lost in the early rounds of each of the three events, singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
When one of her fans on X mentioned how Coco Gauff’s game had deteriorated since Gilbert became a part of his coaching staff, the enigmatic Nick Kyrgios replied to the post saying, “I’d coach her.” Kyrgios has taken up other roles in tennis apart from being a player. Even now he is a commentator at the US Open, but he has yet to take over coaching duties. The Aussie has no coaching experience. Despite that, he has offered his services to Gauff, probably in jest.
Coming back to Gilbert though, he has rightly pointed out that Gauff still has a long way to go in her career and success lies ahead if she continues working hard. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Gilbert and Gauff call it quits because of the recent results. What do you think?
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