"Hope Coco Gauff fires Brad Gilbert immediately";"Regressed big time" - Fans urge American to split with coach after US Open title defense ends in 4R

Coco Gauff's US Open title defense came to an end on Sunday, September 1, in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium. The World No. 3's erratic display saw her crash out of the hard-court Major in the fourth round, as opponent Emma Navarro sealed her place in the quarterfinals. Unsurprisingly, several fans reacted to the development and urged Gauff to split with her coach Brad Gilbert.

Gauff and Gilbert's collaboration started ahead of the 2023 US Open Series, and it initially reaped great rewards. Under the dual guidance of primary coach Pere Riba and Gilbert, the American won the Citi Open in Washington, reached the quarterfinals of the National Bank Open, and then won her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.

However, not long after her title triumph at Flushing Meadows, Coco Gauff announced that she would no longer be working with Pere Riba. This left Gilbert as her primary coach. The ongoing season started positively for the 20-year-old as she won the ASB Classic and then made it to the semifinals of the Australian Open. Since then though, the 20-year-old's form has, for the most part, been wayward.

Coco Gauff's latest loss to Navarro in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open saw the World No. 3 struggle with her serve and produce 19 double faults. Her general play was dismal as well, as she made 60 unforced errors. Throughout the match, the defending champion's body language remained mostly negative, and unsurprisingly, this allowed Navarro to clinch a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win.

Several fans took to X (formerly Twitter) and suggested that Coco Gauff's game had actually deteriorated under Gilbert's guidance. These fans opined that to stop the rot, the World No. 3 needs to split with Gilbert despite his glorious past associations with the likes of Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray.

"My honest advice to @CocoGauff is to sack @bgtennisnation He became Gauff head coach in November 2023 and her game has regressed since then. Brad loves himself more than anyone else and that doesn't work if you are a Head Coach," a fan wrote.

"I hope @CocoGauff decides to part ways with Brad Gilbert. Both her physical and mental game seem to have declined significantly under his leadership," commented another fan.

"Coco, I'm not writing you off. I think you need a reset. My advice is to fire your Coach. I don't think he can take you any further. Roddick only got one 1 GS. Do it before the season ends and reset for 2025. I don't feel they're serving you well with scouting reports & your serve needs to improve," another chimed in.

There were others who felt that Coco Gauff's 2023 US Open title was primarily a result of her work with her then-primary coach Pere Riba. One fan also hinted at something suspicious in the American's camp if the World No. 3 did not make changes to her coaching setup after her latest loss.

"I really hope Coco fires Brad Gilbert immediately. Her game & mentality have gotten a thousand times worse under his tenure. It’s become clear as daylight that Pere Riba was responsible for all the success of last year. It’s been a downward spiral since his mysterious departure," wrote one fan.

"Don’t know what the coaches are doing but Coco as a player has regressed big time since last year, huge problem with her service and mental strength is completely shot, it’s been a disaster season for her," another fan opined.

"If that Brad Gilbert man isn't fired as her "coach" by tomorrow then something fishy is going on," yet another fan weighed in.

However, despite the negativity surrounding Gauff in the aftermath of her US Open title defense going up in smoke, Navarro voiced her optimism about the World No. 3.

Emma Navarro has predicted another US Open title triumph for Coco Gauff

Emma Navarro (Source: Getty)

Emma Navarro, in her post-match on-court interview, expressed her respect and admiration for Coco Gauff. The World No. 12 also predicted that Gauff would one day win the US Open title again.

"Coco is an amazing player. I have a ton of respect for her. I know she’s gonna come back and win this thing again," Navarro said.

Coco Gauff finds herself under increasing pressure in the live race to the year-end WTA Finals. While the 20-year-old is sixth in the race and currently is in contention to cement her place at the year-end event, the likes of Zheng Qinwen, Barbora Krejcikova and Emma Navarro are fast catching up.

Navarro is set to lock horns against the resurgent Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, September 4. Whoever wins, will reach their maiden Grand Slam semifinal.