Brad Gilbert reacts after Coco Gauff announces he will no longer be her coach after. .. See More

Coco Gauff has dropped her coach Brad Gilbert after a poor US Open title defense was halted by Emma Navarro in the fourth round.

After the fanfare at Flushing 12 months ago, Coco Gauff slumped to a shoddy summer of tennis.

An early defeat to Emma Navarro at Wimbledon came a week before Gauff’s debut Olympic outing was cut short by eventual runner-up Donna Vekic.

In Washington last year, Gauff picked up her maiden WTA 500 title before storming to the title in Cincinnati.

This year however barely could’ve gone worse. Gauff has not reached a final in 2024 since defending her Auckland title in January.

With two defeats in three in the build-up to the US Open, her preparation this time was virtually non-existent.

Despite a hard-fought win against an ailing Elina Svitolina, Gauff was once again pipped at the line by Navarro, prompting major questions about her coaching partnership with Brad Gilbert.

Barely a moment had passed before fans suggested Gauff needed a new coach after her US Open defeat, with Gilbert, who had previous stints working with Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, coming under immediate fire.

An awkward encounter between Rennae Stubbs and Gilbert, saw the former blast Gauff’s alleged litany of shortcomings right in front of him.

With news that Gauff and Gilbert had parted ways announced on Wednesday, the 63-year-old took to X to send a heartfelt message to the 20-year-old.

“Thanks to Coco 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. I’m excited for the next chapter in my Coaching career.”

Immediately after her US Open defeat, John McEnroe predicted Gauff and Gilbert might part ways, despite the 20-year-old finding her best form under him.

Who might coach Coco Gauff next after Brad Gilbert’s exit?

The coaching carousel continues on the WTA Tour – Despite the saga over between Holger Rune and Patrick Mouratoglou, Naomi Osaka has astonishingly decided the Frenchman is the right man to take her forward.

Ultimately it means that Osaka’s now former coach, Wim Fisette, who helped her to four Grand Slam titles, is looking for a new job.

While convenient timing and arguably a sensible appointment, Gauff will have no shortage of suitors hoping to guide her back to the very top and ought to make her decision carefully.

Nick Kyrgios threw his hat in the ring to coach Gauff after her US Open run was abruptly cut short, however this feels an unlikely avenue for the American to seriously explore.

It’s sometimes worth remembering that Gauff is still just 20, and despite her early success, is still a player who will and naturally needs to undergo further development.

Importantly too, Gilbert, whose reputation for winning titles and being a top coach hasn’t really taken much of a knock, is now on the job hunt.