Rennae Stubbs didn’t mince words when discussing Coco Gauff’s fourth-round exit Sunday at the U.S. Open, airing her grievances as the American phenom’s coach sat on the same panel.
While dissecting Gauff’s three-set loss to Emma Navarro on ESPN’s panel, Stubbs — a former world doubles No. 1 who coached Serena Williams during the 2022 U.S. Open — called attention to the 20-year-old’s confidence and technique but acknowledged the awkwardness of doing so with Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert, sharing the panel with her.
“Where is Coco’s confidence?” Stubbs said, according to the Daily Mail. “There’s no second serve, that’s the sign. And that’s a problem.
“So under pressure, bad technique breaks down and her technique is … hard for me to say because Brad is sitting here … but her technique, the elbow, is too low, the grip is a little weird as well.”
Gilbert, a former tennis pro who has coached the likes of Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, has been the subject of immense criticism in the wake of Gauff’s defeat to compatriot Navarro, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
“Brad Gilbert going on air spinning the Gauff loss while she’s in the press conference room is just too cringe for me to watch tbh,” X user Stephanie Myles wrote.
It’s a stark difference from a year ago when Gilbert had joined Gauff’s team as she went on an incredible summer run, which ended with her claiming the U.S. Open.
Gauff, who had 60 unforced errors Sunday, looked to her box in Flushing and said, “Tell me something!”
It’s similar circumstances to what unfolded in Wimbledon earlier this summer when Gauff also lost to Navarro, 6-4, 6-3, in the Round of 16.
Gauff also pleaded with her coaching box for advice during that match.
“I don’t think we were all in sync,” Gauff said after the Wimbledon loss, according to SI.com. “It’s no one’s blame except myself. I mean, I’m the player out there. I have to make decisions for myself on the court.”
The Florida native spoke about mechanics after Monday’s defeat ender her title defense.
“I go down on my left side a lot on my serve, and it’s something I’m aware of, but it’s tough in the moment to, I guess, try not to do it,” she said, according to the Associated Press.
The 23-year-old Navarro will next face Spain’s Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
