Maria Sharapova gives advice to Coco Gauff after the American parts ways with coach Brad Gilbert

Maria Sharapova talked about Coco Gauff's decision to part ways with coach Brad Gilbert and explained the importance of team members.

Maria Sharapova gives advice to Coco Gauff after the American parts ways with coach Brad Gilbert

Maria Sharapova, Brad Gilbert, Coco Gauff (Images via SELF Magazine, The New York Times, Imago)

Coco Gauff recently parted ways with Brad Gilbert, the coach under whom she won the US Open last year, the only Grand Slam title she is able to win so far. Former Russian star Maria Sharapova, in a recent interview, commented about the youngster’s decision to part ways with Gilbert. 

Just like Gauff, Sharapova also used to get coaching from her father. The 37-year-old, who retired in 2020 after winning five Grand Slam titles, talked about the importance of having a great team and revealed how she is still close to the members of her team, stating that it takes time to build trust and accept the team’s advice. 

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I think Coco Gauff has an amazing head on her shoulders and knows that there will be changes in her team throughout the years. What you need at a certain point in your career is not what you need later in your career. I was very fortunate with the teams that I had. I still remain very close to all of my coaches. They’re such big team members and they carry so much weight.
Maria Sharapova said during an interview with US Weekly 

Gauff hired Gilbert in August 2023 and since then, she performed impressively on the North American hard-court swing in 2023. She won the Citi Open, followed by the Cincinnati Masters before grabbing her maiden Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows. 

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Gauff was expected to defend her title in 2024, but she was eliminated in the fourth round against compatriot Emma Navarro in three sets. About two weeks afterward, Gauff decided to part ways with Gilbert. 

Sascha Bajin makes himself available to coach Coco Gauff 

23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams‘ former hitting partner, Sascha Bajin, who also coached Naomi Osaka, has made himself available to coach Coco Gauff. The 20-year-old American recently posted a reel and in the comment section, one of the fans tagged Bajin, who declared that he is ready to coach the youngster. 

Coco Gauff (5)
Coco Gauff (Image via X) 
I'm ready. They just need to call.
Sascha Bajin wrote 

Under Bajin, Osaka won her first two Grand Slam titles. The 39-year-old has also worked with Karolina Pliskova, Dayana Yastremska, and Kristina Mladenovic.

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Williams’ childhood coach Rick Macci has also commented on Gauff’s decision in a post on X, saying the youngster is a winner and knows about the geometry of the court. He also advised Gauff to focus more on her serve and forehand.