"Just insult Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner";"Xenophobic much Brad Gilbert?" - Fans slam Coco Gauff's coach for 'English speakers' remark at US Open

Coco Gauff's coach Brad Gilbert has sparked outrage with his remarks excluding Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev from the count of "English speakers" left in the men's draw at the 2024 US Open. Fans were perplexed by Gilbert's comments, denouncing them as "xenophobic."

After Chris Evert, Nick Kyrgios and John McEnroe faced backlash for their commentary at the New York Major, Brad Gilbert has become the latest to come under fire for his controversial remarks while interviewing Alex de Minaur and Jack Draper before their highly anticipated quarterfinal clash.

Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg took to social media and called out Brad Gilbert for asserting that it was "nice" to have four English speakers left in the men's draw during the quarterfinals and semifinals at Flushing Meadows.

Given that Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe have set up an all-American showdown in the semifinals and De Minaur and Draper are also native English speakers, Gilbert snubbing Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev from the group ignited controversy.

""Nice that we’ve got four English speakers in the quarters and semis!" says Brad Gilbert between interviewing Draper and de Minaur, giving one of the less relevant selling points for the men’s draw that I can imagine," Rothenberg posted on X.

Fans were baffled by the "odd" comment, interpreting it as an "insult" towards Sinner and Medvedev, who are both polyglots.

"Such an odd thing to say," one fan commented.

"Also Medvedev is easily the most articulate guy left in this field, let’s be real," Rothenberg wrote further.

"Considering most players are polyglots and Brad… isn’t, was a curious thing to say!" a fan argued.

"Brad just managed to insult Daniil, Jannik, Iga, Karolina, Emma, Beatriz, Aryna amongst others," a fan contended.

Others, meanwhile, asserted that there were "racist" and "xenophobic" implications to Gilbert's remarks.

"Casual xenophobia what a surprise 🙄," one fan wrote.

"Lmaoooooo xenophobic much @bgtennisnation?" a fan questioned.

"It's just low key racist. He brought up this fact yesterday as well, like what's the relevance?" another fan chimed in.

Fans also called for Brad Gilbert to be "dismissed" from the ESPN commentary team for the rest of the US Open.

"This may be dramatic but he should low-key be dismissed from covering the rest of the tournament by ESPN for saying that," one fan posted.

"Why is he even doing this ? There’s so much commentator talent out there and we’re stuck with commonwealth enthusiasts Brad Gilbert ?" another fan wrote.

Jannik Sinner or Daniil Medvedev set to face Jack Draper in US Open SF after his win over Alex de Minaur

Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner (Source: Getty)

The only remaining Grand Slam champions in the men's draw, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, will lock horns in a blockbuster quarterfinal clash at the 2024 US Open.

Medvedev holds a 7-5 lead in his head-to-head record against the World No. 1, including a narrow five-set win in their most recent clash in the 2024 Wimbledon quarterfinals. However, Sinner emerged victorious in both of their hardcourt encounters this season, triumphing in the Australian Open final and the Miami Open semifinals.

The winner of the highly anticipated showdown between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev will face Jack Draper in the last four, following the Brit's commanding 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 win over Alex de Minaur to reach his maiden Major semifinal.