Coco Gauff splits with coach Brad Gilbert as 63-year-old speaks out on break up | Tennis | Sport

Coco Gauff has officially split with her coach Brad Gilbert in the wake of her disappointing run at the US Open. The 20-year-old was knocked out in the fourth round by Emma Navarro, which ended her hopes of defending the title she won last year.

Gilbert took to social media on Wednesday to confirm that he was no longer working with Gauff just 10 months after taking over as her main coach. He joined her team as a consultant in July last year before he was promoted to a coaching role in November.

In a short statement, the 63-year-old wished her well for the future and said he was looking forward to his next challenge as a coach.

“Thanks to Coco Gauff and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort,” wrote Gilbert on X, formerly Twitter.

“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 chapter in my coaching career.”

Gilbert, who has previously coached the likes of Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, came under fire in the wake of Gauff’s exit from the US Open. At one point, Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs criticised her serving technique while in the presence of Gilbert.

During an appearance on ESPN, Stubbs said: “Where is Coco’s confidence? There’s no second serve, that’s the sign, and that’s a problem.

“Under pressure, bad technique breaks down and her technique is… it’s hard for me to say because Brad is sitting here. 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.”

Nick Kyrgios then made a cheeky offer to replace Gilbert as Gauff’s new coach, putting himself forward as he waded into an online discussion. Taking to X, the Aussie simply wrote: “I’d coach her.”

Gauff failed to impress in the hard-court tournaments leading up to the US Open and there was little improvement in New York. She will be hoping to get back to her best under the guidance of a new coach in the coming months.