close
close
Maria Sharapova has advice for Coco Gauff after her tennis coach was fired

Maria Sharapova's advice to Coco Gauff after her coach's dismissal

Maria Sharapova Stella Artois

Maria Sharapova has some advice for Coco Gauffwho recently fired his tennis coach Brad Gilbert.

“I think Coco has an amazing head on her shoulders and knows that there will be changes in her team over the years,” Sharapova, 37, said exclusively Us weekly at the Stella Artois Let's Do Dinner Summer Series event in New York City on Thursday, September 19th.

“What you need at a certain point in your career is not what you need later in your career,” the retired tennis player continued. “I've been very lucky with the teams I've had. I still stay very close with all my coaches. They are such big team members and carry so much weight. A team is really important.”

Sharapova added: “It takes time to build trust, learn from (your team) and take their advice. But it’s a fun journey.”

2024 Olympians and their famous partners GettyImages 1437383254 009

Related: 2024 Olympic athletes and their famous partners

Simone Biles, Tom Daley and other Olympians heading to the 2024 Paris Olympics found success not only in their careers, but also with equally accomplished partners. Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, began dating NFL safety Jonathan Owens in 2020. After three years of dating, the two tied the knot in an intimate court wedding (…)

Gilbert, 63, announced via X on Wednesday, September 18, that he and Gauff, 20, had separated after an intense 2024 summer season. “Coco, at just 20 years old, your future looks incredibly bright and I wish you continued success,” Gilbert wrote. “I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my coaching career.”

Maria Sharapova's advice to Coco Gauff after her coach's dismissal

Coco Gauff JP Yim/Getty Images for American Eagle

Gilbert previously coached players like Andre Agassi, Andy Murray And Andy Roddickand began working with Gauff as an assistant coach in July 2023 Pere Riba. Under his guidance, Gauff became the second-best player of all time last summer. She won her first Grand Slam title in September 2023 and won three more titles this summer in Washington DC, Cincinnati and at the US Open.

However, the young tennis star experienced setbacks in the 2024 season after losing to his fellow American Emma Navarro at the last two Grand Slams and then failed to win a medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Sharapova knows all too well how to part ways with a coach. In 2008, after winning her third Grand Slam in Australia, the Russian tennis star asked her coach and father: Yuri Sharapovto step down from the role he held for almost her entire career.

Showcasing the most stylish stars at the 2024 US Open

Related: The most stylish stars at the US Open 2024: Simone Biles, More

From sporty-chic outfits to timeless ensembles, stars stepped out in style as they watched the US Open Tennis Championships. The tennis tournament, which features professionals like Coco Gauff, Frances Tiafoe and more, is the perfect opportunity for celebrities like Zoey Deutch, Ciara Miller and more to show off their personal style. During the day (…)

“At that point I had just won my third Grand Slam,” she said Us. “Maybe in a different situation or (for) a different player, this wouldn't be the right time to quit with your coach or your dad, but I just wanted to fly on my own. “I wanted to figure things out. I was in my early 20s and I just felt ready, even though he was still an important part of my career.”

Despite her father's dismissal, Sharapova shared Us that she and Yuri remain “very close.”

“I am an only child and am very close to both of my parents,” she shared. “They were just wonderful influences in my life. We shared so much through my sport and my shared upbringing. We came to a new country at a young age and were therefore a small team. I’m grateful I had her by my side.”

Sharapova retired from tennis in February 2020.

By Vanessa

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *