Andy Roddick warns that
Coco Gauff won't rush to find a new coach after her recent split with
Brad Gilbert. The 2023 US Open champion recently announced that she will no longer work with the renowned coach, though she has not indicated who her new coach might be.
A year ago, Gilbert joined Gauff’s team shortly after Wimbledon, where the American suffered a disappointing first-round defeat to Sofia Kenin. The 20-year-old player quickly showed improvements in her game and made a significant leap to the forefront of the tour.
Despite reaching the French Open final in 2022, Gauff had 'only' three titles in WTA 250 tournaments, not yet meeting the expectations placed on her. Once her work with Gilbert began, they secured their first WTA 500 title, first WTA 1000 title, and first Grand Slam at the US Open in less than two months. Gauff won 22 of the next 23 matches she played and ended the season ranked World No. 3.
However, the American was unable to replicate that initial success this season, winning only one WTA 250 title in the opening week at the ASB Classic and failing to reach another final. Gauff recently dropped from World No. 2 to No. 6 after not defending any of her three titles from the previous hardcourt swing.
Following Gauff's announcement a few days ago, Andy Roddick spoke with Tennis Channel and analysed Gilbert’s departure: “Obviously, out of the gates, it was stunning success. You would trade all of the tough moments for that US Open win.”
“I don’t know that I was shocked. It’s been a bit of a rough year. What I’m curious about moving forward is whether there is going to be a co-coach situation," the former world No. 1 added. "Is there going to be a name-brand coach? Is this something that she enjoyed looking back, or was the attention to the relationship a net negative?”
“I don’t think she’d be in a rush to do anything because J.C. Farell is in her corner, and she’s comfortable there. Your guess is as good as mine. I don’t think she’s going to be in a rush to fix it immediately.”