"The sun comes up the next day" - Coco Gauff's coach Brad Gilbert opens up after American's US Open campaign ends in 4R disaster
Following her US Open exit, Coco Gauff's coach Brad Gilbert opened up about his coaching philosophy and emphasized the importance of maintaining positivity even after defeat. Gauff lost to compatriot Emma Navarro in three sets, which marked the end of her title defense in an underwhelming season.
The 20-year-old won a title in the first tournament she played this season, the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. But since then, she has not reached the final of any event in women's singles.
At the 2024 US Open, where she was the defending champion, Gauff began impressively by defeating Varvara Gracheva and Tatjana Maria in straight sets.
The American then defeated Elina Svitolina in the third round before facing Emma Navarro in a rematch of their Wimbledon fourth-round encounter. The result was the same on both occasions, with Navarro advancing to the quarterfinal.
Gilbert appeared on CNBC to reflect on Gauff's US Open. He praised the youngster and said she is a hard-working player who still has a long way to go. Gilbert also shared that he avoids showing too much emotion on the court, as players can sometimes pick up on it and be negatively affected.
"Sometimes they catch you with your head down a little bit, didn't go as well here as we would like," Gilbert said.
However, he added that maintaining a positive outlook is important.
"But, the sun comes up the next day and then you got to be positive, and hopefully things will get better," he said.
There were calls from fans for Gauff to sack Gilbert as her coach after her US Open exit. Surprisingly, Nick Kyrgios offered to coach Gauff, saying he was happy to take up the opportunity if it arose.
Nick Kyrgios offers to coach Coco Gauff after her US Open exit amid calls for her to 'sack' Brad Gilbert
A fan took to X and advised Coco Gauff to 'sack' Brad Gilbert after her 2024 US Open fourth-round loss to Emma Navarro. They wrote:
"My honest advice to @CocoGauff is to sack @bgtennisnation. He became Gauff head coach in November 2023 and her game has regressed since then. Brad loves himself more than anyone else and that doesn't work if you are a head coach."
Another fan in the comments tagged Nick Kyrgios and stated that he should take up the job as he could be an 'incredible coach'.
The Aussie noted the comment and responded:
"I'd coach her," he commented.
Coco Gauff, however, has made no such comments. During her press conference after the match, she expressed confidence in her abilities and stated that she wouldn't 'beat herself up' about the exit.