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Coco Gauff's former coach Brad Gilbert hit out at a fan for suggesting that Martina Navratilova's name shouldn't be used as one of the group's titles at this year's WTA Finals. He has been critical of the fashion in which the groups were named in the round-robin stage of the year-end elite event.
On Sunday, November 3, Gilbert took to his social media handle to express disappointment at the current names of the two groups — "Purple" and "Orange". The 63-year-old said the naming was a misstep from WTA and that they should've titled the groups after former greats of women's tennis:
"I don’t get why @atptour @WTA name the groups for year-end championships for colors. In Saudi Arabia we are going the purple and orange groups, so beyond obvious to name the groups after former great players. Such a tank by the tour to go colors. Honestly don’t get it."
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A fan replied to Gilbert saying that one of the groups couldn't possibly be named after Navratilova, who had previously opposed the WTA Finals signing a deal with Saudi Arabia:
"Do you think in Saudi they are gonna call the group after lesbian Navratilova. Use your brain BG."
Coco Gauff's former coach was clearly at odds with the fan as he replied:
"Permanently red card."
Last August, Navratilova criticized WTA's decision to sell the license of its year-end championships to Saudi Arabia's PIF.
Martina Navratilova: "If I were still playing, I wouldn't go to Saudi Arabia for WTA Finals"
18-time Major winner Martina Navratilova shared her opinion about traveling to Saudi Arabia with journalist Jon Wertheim in August 2023:
"I can tell you 100 percent, if I were still playing, I would not be going for the Championships."
Navratilova soon received flak from a few fans for her comment. The legend didn't take kindly to the reception.
"Hard to believe I am getting c**p for saying I would not go play tennis in Saudi Arabia. From all kinds of angles. WTAF???" she tweeted.
During her career, the Czech-American won an Open-era record 59 Major titles - 18 in singles, 31 in women's doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles.
