Coco Gauff parts ways with coach Brad Gilbert

Coaching in tennis is much different than other sports. Coaches sometimes pull double duty at major tournaments as TV analysts, providing insights on broadcasts when they aren't mentoring players before and during matches.

Brad Gilbert's dual role as ESPN analyst and Coco Gauff's coach created a very awkward on-air moment after Gauff suffered another earlier-than-expected Grand Slam exit at the U.S. Open. He returned to ESPN's studio set, where fellow analyst Rennae Stubbs proceeded to call out the technical flaws in Gauff's problematic serve.

Gilbert took the criticism well. He even shared further insight. "It’s funny because we go to the practice courts and it’s fine," he said. "It hasn’t been a problem but all of a sudden ..."

Gilbert probably knew Gauff's defeat against fellow American Emma Navarro would be the last time he coached the 2023 U.S. Open champion. On Wednesday, Gilbert and Gauff took to social media to announce that they were parting ways as coach and pupil.

Gilbert wrote on X to thank Gauff and her team "for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort."

"Your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead," he added.

Thanks 🙏 to @CocoGauff and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort. Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead. I’m excited for the next…
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) September 18, 2024

Gauff tweeted her thanks to Gilbert, adding "We had an incredible run and I wish you all the best in the future!"

Thank you @bgtennisnation ! We had an incredible run and I wish you all the best in the future! pic.twitter.com/5A2pzJjHUB
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) September 18, 2024

Gauff's 2024 can be classified as a disappointment, at least when it comes to her results in majors.

The 20-year-old lost in the semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open and reached a career-best No. 2 world ranking in June. However, she was eliminated by Navarro in the next two Grand Slams, getting bounced in the round of 16 at Wimbledon and in the fourth round at last month's U.S. Open.

Gauff's tough summer sent her sliding to No. 6 in the latest WTA Tour rankings. She's still the highest-ranked American, male or female. Taylor Fritz, coming off his Wimbledon runner-up finish, is the world's No. 7 player on the ATP Tour.

America's top tennis player parts ways with coach after rough summer

By Joe Lago | Sep 18, 2024