"She looked more relaxed" - Chris Evert approves Coco Gauff's decision to continue working with former Andre Agassi coach Brad Gilbert

Former World No. 1 Chris Evert appears to be pleased with Coco Gauff's decision to continue working with Andre Agassi's former coach, Brad Gilbert, for the foreseeable future.

Evert took to her Twitter handle to applaud Coco Gauff’s decision, writing that it was a smart move by the 18-year-old.

smart move! She also looked more relaxed last week! 👏👍 twitter.com/tennisinfinity…

"smart move! She also looked more relaxed last week!"

Coco Gauff won her third career title at the ASB Classic in Auckland earlier this year, beating Spanish qualifier Viktoria Masarova 6-1, 6-1 in the final. Post that, however, the current World No. 7 had a dry run on the WTA tour.

She opted to change her coaching squad after losing in the first round of the Wimbledon Championships against Sofia Kenin. Keeping Spaniard Pere Riba as her primary coach, the American enlisted the help of Andre Agassi's old coach Brad Gilbert too.

Coco Gauff had added Gilbert to her coaching staff as an advisor rather than a hands-on coach who would travel with her every week. But after winning the Citi Open in Washington, Gauff is eager to keep working with Gilbert.

The teenager defeated Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-3 in the Washington final, a player against whom she had previously struggled.

Coco Gauff had said before her Citi Open final that working with Brad Gilbert was supposed to be a one-week trial. But given how things were going for her in Washington, she had decided to continue with the arrangement.

“I mean, we were just trying it this week, but obviously, I think, with the way it's been going, we are going to continue. You know, with anyone, you don't want to say, Let's plan for a long time. I really only had one conversation with him in person, and that was at Wimbledon," she said (via Tennis Infinity).

Gauff acknowledged the differences that Gilbert and Pere had made in her game and mentality in a short span, adding that the team has a perfect dynamic.

“Originally we just, you know, said, Let's see how this week goes, you know, how everything goes. I'm thinking that it's pretty obvious the differences that he and Pere have made in the short amount of time, and I like the way the team dynamic, everyone is getting along, so that's the most important part.”

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula team up again

After winning the title at Citi Open in Washington, Coco Gauff is all set to compete at the Montreal Masters, but with one change in her schedule. She will partner compatriot Jessica Pegula in the doubles category, having opted not to do so in Washington.

While many would look at that as changing a winning formula, Gauff is keen on defending the title she and Pegula had won at Rogers Cup last year. If things go to plan and Gauff makes deep runs at the event, she might not play the Cincinnati Masters.

She talked about that in her press conference ahead of the tournament:

“I am playing doubles this week with Jess (Jessica Pegula). I wanted to play both this week because, you know obviously, if this week goes well, which I hope it does, then you know Cincinnati could be up in the air because then that would be like three tournaments back to back to back.”

Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula will face Aldila Sutjiadi and Miyu Kato in their first match at the Montreal Open on August 8.