In a surprising move, world No. 6 tennis star Coco Gauff has split with her coach, Brad Gilbert, following a string of underwhelming performances, culminating in an early exit from this year’s US Open. Gauff’s disappointing fourth-round defeat to fellow American Emma Navarro, who also knocked her out of Wimbledon earlier this year, marked the end of their successful partnership.

Gilbert had been instrumental in helping Gauff capture her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open. Under his guidance, the young tennis sensation also secured major wins in Cincinnati and Washington during her remarkable 2023 season. However, the 2024 season has been far less kind to Gauff, with a series of early exits in key tournaments, including Wimbledon, the Olympics, and most recently, her title defense at Flushing Meadows.

Despite reaching the semifinals at both the French Open and the Australian Open earlier this year, Gauff struggled to maintain the momentum that had defined her 2023 campaign. She faced unexpected setbacks, losing in the first round in Cincinnati, the second round in Toronto, and falling short again in the US Open against Navarro. Reflecting on her recent losses, Gauff acknowledged her struggles, particularly with her serve, stating, “Mentally and emotionally, I gave it my all… but there’s things execution-wise, where obviously I wish I could serve better.”

Gilbert took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his gratitude for the time spent coaching Gauff, calling their run “absolutely amazing.” He lauded Gauff’s potential, noting, “Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead.” Gauff returned the sentiment, sharing her appreciation for their journey together and wishing Gilbert the best in his next coaching endeavor.

Though the split marks the end of their collaboration, Gauff’s career is far from stagnant. Despite the recent downturn, the 20-year-old managed to successfully defend her Auckland Classic title earlier this year and continues to be a rising force in the world of tennis. As she navigates the next steps of her career, both fans and analysts will be watching to see who steps in as Gauff’s next coach and how the talented young star will respond to these recent challenges on the court.