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"A little bit awkward" - Serena Williams' ex-coach opens up about criticizing Coco Gauff in front of her coach Brad Gilbert following US Open 4R loss

Former pro Rennae Stubbs’ criticism of Coco Gauff’s US Open performance in front of coach Brad Gilbert had run a section of fans the wrong way. The American has reassured that everyone in the room was a professional and that things like these don’t bother them too much.

Addressing the incident in conversation with fellow former pro Andrea Petkovic during the latest episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs acknowledged that the situation of having coaches in the room for panel discussions can be slightly “awkward”.

Recalling the US Open incident with Gilbert shortly after Coco Gauff’s loss to Emma Navarro in the fourth round, she said her job in that moment was to also give viewers back home an insight into the match that the defending champion lost.

Stubbs, who has herself been a coach for the likes of Serena Williams in the past, was quick to add that Gilbert was a professional and does not hold her criticism of Gauff against her.

"It's great, we can hear from the coach of the player, yeah, it's sort of great but also a little bit awkward for people that are working there," Rennae Stubbs said (at 52:02). "But look, the bottom line is, it's like, in that situation, my job is to also tell people at home why she's losing and why she lost that match."
"That's my job and you know Brad's a professional," she continued. "He understands he's not going to be, he doesn't hold it against me."

"I'm sure if Brad was on the desk, he would do the same" - Rennae Stubbs on Coco Gauff's doubles faults at US Open

Coco Gauff at the 2024 US Open (Source: Getty)
Coco Gauff at the 2024 US Open (Source: Getty)

Rennae Stubbs said she was sure if someone like Brad Gilbert had been in her shoes, he would have done the same for any other coach whose ward had succumbed to a surprise loss.

The American said had someone like Jannik Sinner hit several double faults, Gilbert would have also spoken to his coach, Darren Cahill about it, had they been in the same room.

"This is... it's part of the job and if you know [Darren Cahill], if [Jannik Sinner] loses I'm sure if Brad was on the desk with Darren and he did 19 double faults, he'd probably say 'Bro you gotta get your player to not hit double 19 double faults' and this is what I see that could improve," Rennae Stubbs said. (at 53.00)

Gauff had hit 19 double faults in her loss to Emma Navarro. It was the second straight Grand Slam where she came up short against her compatriot, having also been beaten by Navarro at Wimbledon.

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