Two weeks after a disappointing US Open title defence, American world number six Coco Gauff parted ways with her coach, Brad Gilbert.
Under Gilbert’s guidance, Gauff won her first major of the year in New York last year. However, Emma Navarro, another American, defeated her in the fourth round this year.
With this news, coach Gilbert said: “Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead.”
Gilbert also coached former Grand Slam champions Andre Agassi, Andy Murray and Andy Roddick. Expressing his sentiments, he added: “I’m excited for the next chapter in my coaching career.”
Gauff and Gilbert team-up
Following a humiliating first-round loss at Wimbledon the previous year, Gauff brought Gilbert on board to work with Spanish coach Pere Riba. Gauff’s luck took a turn for the better as she won 18 of her next 19 games during her home hard-court journey, resulting in titles in Washington, Cincinnati, and New York.
Gauff also secured a career-best 12 consecutive victories, including the US Open final victory over Aryna Sabalenka.
In November, Riba left the team, leaving Gilbert as the only head coach.
However, Gauff has not made it to a final this year since January, when she defended the Auckland championship.
The athlete advanced to the semi-finals of both the Australian and French Opens before losing in the Wimbledon fourth round and reaching the same round of the US Open. Her poor forehand and serve, which resulted in 19 double faults against Navarro, made it unclear if she would stick with Gilbert.
After everything, Gilbert declared: “Thanks to Coco and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort.”
NEW YORK- Coco Gauff, 19, has made it to the U.S. Open quarterfinals for the second year in a row after knocking out 2018 Australian Open champ Caroline Wozniacki.
Tennis fans have been on the lookout for Gauff’s next moves after a video of her complaining, “How is this fair?” to the umpire who turned a blind eye to her opponent’s mistake, went viral on Tiktok. But, this isn’t the first time Gauff impressed the world by being the Gen Z icon that she is.
Gauff first made headlines at the 2019 Wimbledon when she won a David vs. Goliath match against 39-year-old tennis veteran Venus Williams. She made it into the 16th round of the tournament and was thereafter declared the youngest person to achieve this feat in the history of Wimbledon. She was just 15 years old at the time and was still in the budding stage of her career.
In the same year, Gauff also grabbed her first WTA title at Linz after winning against Jelena Ostapenko.
In the years that followed, Gauff eventually became known as one of the tennis prodigies, joining the likes of Tracy Austin, Jennifer Capriati, and Andrea Jaeger.
This year, the tennis prodigy went head to head against the former Danish champ, Caroline Wozniacki. And with two of tennis’ biggest household names, their New York clash was much anticipated by sports enthusiasts around the world.
Proving to be different from all her previous rivals, Wozniacki had a strong start compared to Gauff. At one point, Gauff had her serve broken and found herself in a bit of a rut. Brad Gilbert, a coach she hired on a “trial basis”, urged her to “ play longer points” and “put more shape on the ball”.
However, Gauff had a different observation and brushed off her coach’s suggestions, even telling him to “stop talking” in the middle of the match.
“I definitely agree that playing longer points is to my advantage (in general). But I felt in that moment, playing Caroline, watching her play so many years, that that’s what she feeds off of. I didn’t want to play into that game. I know playing against her, you have to be the aggressor.“, Gauff said.
Following her intuition, Gauff played her own strategy and was able to turn the tide. She won against the former champ with 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
In an interview, Wozniacki commended Gauff for her athleticism:
“I think Coco over the last month and a half, ever since after Wimbledon, I think she’s not scared to hit through her forehand, which she has been in the past,” Wozniacki said. “I think she’s getting more depth on it and a little bit more rotation. I think that’s why she’s obviously winning more on a consistent basis. I think she’s always been a great athlete, she’s always had the backhand, the serve, the fighting spirit. I feel like right now it’s all kind of coming together for her.”
In return, Gauff also had nothing but love for Wozniacki at the end of the match, stating that she was truly an inspiration for her:
“She’s been an inspiration growing up. She definitely gets to a lot of balls. Sometimes I felt like I was playing myself. I knew I had to be aggressive today. In some moments I missed, but I was happy I was able to get back and focus”
Although Coco Gauff was eliminated at the WTA finals, the 19-year old still
continues to have aspirations of winning the season-ending tournament one day.
Gauff’s journey prior to the WTA finals
Last year, Gauff had a rough stint at the WTA finals, as she failed to win a single set and finished with a losing record of 0-3.
This year, though, proved to be different.
Gauff had an incredible start to her season before the WTA finals, winning the ASB Classic in Auckland in January; the Citi Open and the Cincinnati Masters both in August ; and, of course, her first-career grand slam, the US Open.
As a result, she quickly established herself as the top-ranked American in the WTA rankings, peaking at third place, behind only the number-one-ranked Iga Swiatek and the number-two-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.
Coco Gauff had the breakthrough of her life on the North American Hardcourts this summer.
• 51-15 Record • US Open Champion (1st GS Title) • Cincy Champion (1st WTA 1000 Title) • Titles in Washington and Auckland • 24-4 Record Post-Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/kLfEsYimJU
For Gauff, who was only 19, winning these titles and ranking that high in the budding stage of her career was impressive.
And, as the teenager headed into the season-ending competition in Cancun, she was one of the favorites to win the championship.
Gauff’s semi-final exit at WTA finals
Last week, Coco Gauff began her WTA Finals campaign with a dominant performance, trouncing her Tunisian opponent, sixth-seeded Ons Jabeur, in a 6-0, 6-1match that lasted just 57 minutes.
“I’m just happy,” Gauff said, “to finally get a win here in this event.”
And with another 5-7, 7-6(4),6-3 win against Márketa Vondroušová, Gauff was able to qualify for the semi-finals.
Because of this, Gauff now holds the distinction of being the youngest player to win a WTA final match and advance to the semi-finals since Caroline Wozniacki 14 years ago. Another record that shows how good a player Gauff is.
Her WTA finals run, however, was ended by fellow American and doubles partner Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals 6-2, 6-1.
Gauff: It’s definitely a dream
Despite failing to win the WTA finals for the second time, Gauff still hasn’t given up on her dreams of one day winning the tournament.
Despite her preference for winning grand slam competitions, Gauff stated in an interview that she still dreams of conquering the “very challenging” WTA finals.
Via The Tennis Letter: “It would be cool to win it. To be honest, as a kid, I always dreamt of winning Grand Slams. I think as I’ve grown as a pro on tour, I learned more about what the WTA Finals is about. I’d definitely say that would be a goal of mine now, after competing in it for 2 years and realizing this is the best of the best,” said Gauff.
“I do think I can improve. It would definitely be a dream. If I had to choose, I’d rather win another Slam. But it’s definitely a dream. I think this tournament is one of the most challenging. Not only because it’s the Top 8, but because it’s the end of the season,” she added.
Coco Gauff says it would be a dream to win the WTA Finals in the future:
“It would be cool to win it. To be honest, as a kid, I always dreamt of winning Grand Slams. I think as I’ve grown as a pro on tour, I learned more about what the WTA Finals is about. I’d definitely say… pic.twitter.com/jcSeVPaKi8
As the women’s tennis season came to a close, Gauff posted a short message in her X and Instagram account, saying that she saw both her darkest and brightest moments this year and that she’s proud of what she’s achieved so far.
Via Gauff’s Instagram: “2023 season is officially over. hard to sum of this season in a few words. I saw my darkest and brightest days of my life this year. I probably grew enough for 10 lifetimes between January & now lol. I usually don’t say this but I am learning to be nicer to myself haha (I get questioned all the time by family, press, and y’all for not saying this) but yes I AM proud of myself. I am proud of the resilience showed. They really tried to count me out but it is all in God’s plan and His timing.❤️”
2023 is season officially over. hard to sum of this season in a few words. I saw my darkest and brightest days of my life this year. I am proud of myself. God’s plan❤️ pic.twitter.com/tpOlOC4Vgh
After a tense battle with Belarusian player Aryana Sabalenka, Coco Gauff emerged as the victor in the US Open last Sunday and claimed her maiden Grand Slam title. She won the match with an impressive 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory, sending the fans into a frenzy of cheers and applause.
She also made history that day as she became the third American youngster, behind Serena Williams and Tracy Austin, to win her first Grand Slam championship. Austin won the title in 1979 and 1981, while Serena Williams, then 17 years old, won it in 1999.
Gauff has been on a tear ever since she lost in the first round at Wimbledon. But after that loss, she’s been on an 18-win streak, claiming the biggest WTA 500 title of her career in Washington and then taking it to the next level with a WTA 1000 win in Cincinnati.
And now, she’s done it again, winning her first ever Grand Slam title.
With this result, she climbed from fifth-ranked to third-ranked in the official WTA rankings, surpassing her prior career-best ranking of fourth, achieved at the end of last year.
After winning the match, Coco Gauff stated that she was thrilled to follow the footsteps of Serena and Venus Williams and that they were the reason why she had the trophy that day.
“I’m so honoured to be able to follow in my sisters’ footsteps and to be able to win my first Grand Slam title,” Gauff said.”It’s been an incredible journey and I’m so proud to be a part of it.
“Crazy. They’re the reason why I have this trophy today,” she said. “Honestly, they’ve allowed me to believe in this dream. Growing up, there weren’t too many just black tennis players dominating the sport. It was literally at that time when I was younger, it was just them that I can remember.
Gauff: It was crazy
Gauff says their legacy has had an immense impact, making her dreams feel attainable. Reflecting on the struggles endured by trailblazers like Serena, Venus, Althea Gibson, Sloane Stephens, and Naomi Osaka, “I’m reminded of the hurdles they overcame, especially in the fight for equal pay at events like Indian Wells.”
Being part of such an esteemed lineup, which includes legendary figures like Althea Gibson and modern champions like Serena, Venus, Naomi, and Sloane, is a true honor, she added.
“They paved the way for my journey here. I distinctly recall watching Sloane win this trophy in 2017, a moment that inspired me deeply, having known her since I was 10 years old.”
Reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff will lead the American tennis team at the Paris Olympics, which will be played at Roland Garros, the home of the French Open.
Gauff, 20, the world number 2, was due to represent Team USA in Tokyo in 2021 but tested positive for Covid-19 shortly before the Games and withdrew from competition.
This time, Gauff will be one of the favourites, playing on the same clay courts where she reached the French Open finals in 2022 and was a semi-finalist this year. She also won the French Open doubles title this year with Katerina Siniakova of Czechoslovakia.
Gauff will be joined by the fifth-ranked Jessica Pegula, world number 11 Danielle Collins and number 17 Emma Navarro in the singles draw at the Paris Games.
The men’s team will include the world number 12 Taylor Fritz and number 13 Tommy Paul — the highest-ranked Americans — as well as number 44 Chris Eubanks and number 53 Marcos Giron.
Paul and Giron competed at the Tokyo Games, where the Americans failed to win a tennis medal for the first time since the sport became part of the Olympics again in 1988.
Team USA will be able to enter two teams in both the men’s and women’s doubles draw, along with one mixed doubles team that is yet to be chosen.
Likely doubles partners
Gauff and Pegula, who lost the French Open doubles final in 2022, are expected to team up.
Pegula returned to action last week, recovering from a neck injury in April that forced her to miss the French Open. She was a singles quarterfinalist there in 2022.
Collins, the 2022 Australian Open runner-up, said this would be her final season on the tour, She won two titles this year in Miami and Charleston. She reached the French Open quarter-finals in 2020 but lost in the second-round this year.
Doubles player Desirae Krawczyk will team up Collins at the Paris Games. Collins and Krawczyk, both 30, won a doubles title last year in Charleston. Krawczyk is a four-time Grand Slam champion in mixed doubles.
Team USA is also taking Rajeev Ram, 40, to his third Olympics. He will be paired with Austin Krajicek in Paris while Fritz will team up with Paul.
As the 2025 season started, Coco Gauff was instrumental in helping the United States win the United Cup with a scintillating performance, racking up five thrilling straight-set wins, including one over Iga Swiatek.
She has carried over her success into the Australian Open, where she has not lost a set before her match against Belinda Bencic in the fourth round.
Gauff was fully challenged when she overcame a set loss to defeat Bencic and secure her spot in the competition’s quarter-finals.
After her victory, the athlete’s thoughts turned to TikTok and its ban. Gauff scribbled “RIP TikTok USA” and sketched a broken heart on a camera lens following her in-court interview.
In a social media post, the Women’s Tennis Association shared: “what she said 👀”
Gauff currently has over 750,000 followers on her own account on TikTok, one of the most widely used social networking sites worldwide.
When asked about her special message during her news conference after the game, Gauff said that the TikTok ban would allow her to focus on other things.
She said: “Yeah, it was funny, a couple people didn’t know what I meant… You can’t access it in the US any more. My phone, I could not access it after my match. I honestly thought I would be able to get away with it because I was in Australia.”
She added: “I guess it’s something with my number. I don’t know. I have to do some research. Hopefully it comes back. I don’t know. It’s really sad…I love TikTok. It’s like an escape. I honestly do that before matches. I guess it will force me to read books more, so yeah, be more of a productive human probably. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. Everything happens for a reason. I do have a feeling that it will somehow come back.”
Gauff’s new goal: Read books
Now that she can’t doom scroll through TIkTok, the American has established a new goal for herself: the number of books she wants to read this year.
Gauff admitted: “I think I got like 18 or 20 books last year… Somewhere between that. This year I set the goal because my boyfriend and I, we set it on the year. The goal is 25. I’m pretty confident I’m not going to get there.”
“But shoot for the sky. If I get around the same amount, if I can get to 20, that would be [great]. I’m off to a bad start, because I haven’t read a single page yet this year because of TikTok. Like I said, I think it will force me to read books,” she stated.
