Coco Gauff, the talented 19-year-old American tennis sensation, has parted ways with her coach, Spaniard Riba, after a five-month collaboration. Gauff made the announcement following her impressive victory over Ons Jabeur during her first WTA Finals match, where she secured a dominant 6-0, 6-1 win.
Riba had joined Gauff’s coaching team in preparation for the 2023 Eastbourne International in June. Their partnership was initially successful, with Gauff achieving remarkable victories, including the Citi Open in Washington, the Cincinnati Open, and the prestigious US Open in New York, all under Riba’s guidance. Gauff even achieved a career-high ranking of No. 3 after her US Open triumph.
However, the unexpected split between Gauff and Riba was confirmed by the young American herself, who expressed that the decision was not hers but necessary. She mentioned, “Unfortunately it wasn’t my decision, but we had to end the partnership. I had a great time with him and I wish him the best in this next chapter.” Gauff conveyed her fondness for Riba and emphasized that there were no hard feelings, indicating, “No bad terms on our end.”
Although Gauff would have preferred to continue working with Riba, she recognized that sometimes partnerships do not work out as planned and that life’s circumstances can bring about change. She acknowledged Riba’s contributions to her personal development and her game, expressing confidence in his future endeavors.
With Riba’s departure, Gauff has now teamed up with Brad Gilbert, a highly experienced coach in the tennis world. Gilbert has previously worked with top tennis stars such as Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Andy Murray. He is also known for his role as a tennis commentator and analyst for ESPN.
Reflecting on his coaching style, Gilbert noted, “I coach from my gut. I coach from feel.” He emphasized the importance of watching matches and understanding how players adapt to different situations. He pointed out that while analytics provide valuable data, they often miss the nuances of a player’s strengths and weaknesses and the ever-changing nature of the game.
As Coco Gauff continues her promising tennis career, her partnership with Brad Gilbert will undoubtedly bring a new dimension to her game. Gilbert’s wealth of experience and deep understanding of the sport may contribute to Gauff’s growth and success on the tennis court. Tennis enthusiasts and fans eagerly await the next chapter in the young American’s career, with optimism for what the future holds.
Coco Gauff in 2023
WWWLLWLWWL Currently the world no.3 (career-high), Coco played her last match on the 30th of October when she overcame world no.7 Ons Jabeur 6-0 6-1 in the round robin in Cancun (draw).
This season the American has achieved a 50-14 match record. Coco has won 4 titles in 2023 in Auckland, Washington, Cincinnati and U.S. Open.
