Coco Gauff prepares for new chapter with emotional message to coach who helped her reach Grand Slam

Coco Gauff has praised legendary tennis coach Brad Gilbert following their split.

The 63-year-old joined Gauff’s team 14 months ago and helped inspire her 2023 US Open triumph

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Gilbert was appointed as the 20-year-old’s coach 10 months ago but confirmed he had left the role in a statement on Wednesday.

“Thank you @bgtennisnation! We had an incredible run and I wish you all the best for the future!” Gauff posted on X after the announcement.

Their split comes after Gauff’s surprise loss to Emma Navarro in the fourth round of the US Open.

Entering the tournament as the defending champion, she failed to live up to expectations in front of her home crowd.

Now, just over two weeks later, Gilbert has confirmed he is leaving his team, telling his social media followers: “Thank you to Coco Gauff and the entire team for an absolutely incredible summer of 2023 and 14 months of incredible team effort.

“Coco, at just 20 years old, your future is incredibly bright and I wish you nothing but continued success. I look forward to starting the next chapter of my coaching career.”

A former world number four as a professional, Gilbert has since become a successful coach, commentator and author.

During his coaching career he has worked with many big names including Sir Andy Murray, Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick.

Renowned as a tactician who focuses heavily on the mental aspect of the game, Gilbert is known for improving players’ intelligence on the field, and has written a book on exactly that subject.

However, her efforts don’t seem to be working for Gauff, despite some success in 2024.

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The 20-year-old American has appeared in two Grand Slam semi-finals at the Australian Open and the French Open, but matched her fourth-round exit from the US Open by exiting Wimbledon at the same stage.

However, she won the doubles at Roland Garros alongside Katerina Siniakova.