Coco Gauff, coach Brad Gilbert part ways after failing to defend U.S. Open title

Coco Gauff parts ways with coach Brad Gilbert after U.S. Open loss, ending successful 14-month partnership.

Coco Gauff split from coach Brad Gilbert after more than a year and one Grand Slam title together, the pair announced via separate messages on social media.

The end of their partnership comes several weeks after Gauff's defence of her 2023 championship at the U.S. Open unraveled amid 19 double-faults during a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 loss to Emma Navarro in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.

That September 1 loss was the latest in a series of disappointing results in recent months for Gauff, a 20-year-old American who recently dropped from No. 3 to No. 6 in the WTA rankings.

It was after a first-round exit at Wimbledon last season that Gauff really took off with the help of the coaching duo of Gilbert and Pere Riba. Riba wasn't with her this year.

Gauff went 22-1 during a stretch in 2023 that included trophies at Washington, Cincinnati and the U.S. Open — her first at a major tournament — all while still a teenager.

Gilbert posted a thank-you Wednesday on social media to Gauff “and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort.”

“Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead,” wrote Gilbert, a former pro who has worked with players such as Andre Agassi, Andy Murray and Andy Roddick in the past. “I'm excited for the next chapter in my coaching career.”