The professional partnership between coach Pere Riba and rising tennis star Coco Gauff garnered attention earlier this year, marking a promising alliance. However, the collaboration between Riba and Gauff was short-lived, as the duo announced their split, attributing it to personal issues on Riba’s part. Subsequently, Riba resolved his personal matters and resumed coaching a young Chinese WTA talent, prompting him to clarify his decision amid fan speculation.
Upon Riba’s return to guiding the Chinese tennis prodigy, fervent reactions surfaced from fans, chastising him for allegedly abandoning Gauff. Many presumed that Riba left Gauff’s team in favor of the Chinese star. Addressing the circulating rumors, Riba recently spoke out to dispel any misunderstandings surrounding his coaching choices.
Prior to joining forces with Gauff, Riba played a pivotal role as the coach for 21-year-old Qinwen Zheng. Their professional journey commenced in 2021 and concluded post the French Open earlier this year. Riba’s collaboration with Gauff resulted in significant achievements for the young American, including her triumphs in the WTA 500, Masters, and Grand Slam tournaments. The announcement of their split in late October left fans surprised and seeking clarity on the abrupt separation.
Riba attributed his hiatus from coaching to personal and family-related issues, elucidating, “In life, there are some situations in which you are not sure how much time you will need to solve those unforeseen events, they are situations that come without warning.”
Clarifying his return to coaching Zheng, Riba explained the sequence of events leading to his reunion, stating, “My personal situation changed, I had been off for more than a month and that’s when Qinwen appeared. I only went back to work once I set my personal issues.”In an interview with Punto De Break, Riba shed light on the complexities of unforeseen personal circumstances and the challenges they pose in a professional career. His decision to rejoin Qinwen Zheng’s team stemmed from the resolution of his personal matters, signifying his commitment to return to coaching after a necessary hiatus.
Riba’s recent remarks aim to quell speculation and clarify his coaching trajectory, emphasizing the complexities of personal situations that guided his professional choices.
Coco Gauff in 2023
Currently ranked no.3 (career-high), the American played her last match on the 4th of November when she was defeated by world no.5 Jessica Pegula 6-2 6-1 in the semifinal in Cancun (draw).
Until now, during this year the American has achieved a 51-16 match record. Coco has won 4 titles in 2023 in Auckland, Washington, Cincinnati and U.S. Open.
Coco Gauff |
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