Coco Gauff has ended her coaching relationship with Brad Gilbert after working together for over a year. Both Gauff and Gilbert shared the news separately on social media.
Gauff’s Rise with Gilbert and Riba
After losing in the first round at Wimbledon last year, Gauff’s career took off with the help of coaches Brad Gilbert and Pere Riba. Although Riba wasn’t with her this season, Gauff went on an impressive 22-1 run in 2023, winning titles in Washington, Cincinnati, and the U.S. Open — her first Grand Slam victory.
Disappointing End to the Partnership
Their split comes just 2 1/2 weeks after Gauff’s disappointing U.S. Open performance in 2024, where she lost in the fourth round to Emma Navarro, with a match that included 19 double faults. This defeat was part of a tough few months for the 20-year-old American, who has dropped from No. 3 to No. 6 in the WTA rankings.
Gilbert’s Message of Gratitude
Gilbert thanked Gauff and her team on social media, expressing his appreciation for their incredible 14 months together and their successful summer run in 2023. He mentioned Gauff’s bright future and wished her well, while also looking forward to the next phase of his coaching career.
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Gauff’s Response
Gauff also shared her gratitude towards Gilbert, saying they had an amazing time together and wished him the best for the future.
Other Notable Achievements
During their time together, Gauff reached the semifinals at the Australian Open in January and the French Open in June, losing both times to the eventual champions. However, her Wimbledon journey ended in the fourth round, with some back-and-forth exchanges between her and Gilbert during the match.
Gauff also represented the U.S. at the Paris Olympics, where she made it to the third round of singles. She was also the female flag bearer for the U.S. team but faced early exits in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles events. Following the Olympics, Gauff had a challenging run at tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati, which led up to her return to the U.S. Open as the reigning champion.
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