Serena Williams' ex-coach has important message for Coco Gauff after criticizing her

09/28/2024 03:40 PM

Serena Williams' ex-coach Rennae Stubbs has made it clear to Coco Gauff that she would have nothing against working with her but she just needs to get that call from her agent.

After failing to do well in a couple of consecutive major tournaments, the American tennis star decided it was time to end her partnership with coach Brad Gilbert. While there were calls to already do it after Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics, the 20-year-old wanted to give one last shot to their collaboration at the US Open - but it didn't work out well after her title defense ended in the round-of-16.

Throughout the entire summer, Gauff struggled with her serve. And it escalated during a surprise loss to Emma Navarro after the defending champion blasted a shocking 19 double faults. 

Afterward, former five-time Grand Slam champion in doubles, Stubbs, sat with Gilbert on an ESPN panel and criticized the American tennis star right in front of her coach. 

“Where is Coco’s confidence? 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," the Australian tennis legend said on ESPN. 

In the past, the former doubles world No. 1 had stints with Karolina Pliskova and Eugenie Bouchard and Williams famously added her to her team for the 2022 US Open farewell. During her latest podcast appearance, the 53-year-old was asked on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast about the prospect of partnering up with Gauff. 

"Because I don’t make those decisions Joe. Those decisions with any coaching situation comes from the agent. In respect to Coco Gauff, I would imagine her agent, her parents and then Coco. And the three of those will talk among themselves, I’m sure. Of course, I would do it. I mean I wouldn’t say no to (an) opportunity with a great player, there’s no way. But that’s not a decision for me to make. I love Coco, I think she’s an incredible kid. And I can say kid because she’s like more than half my age. I think she’s an incredibly hard worker, I respect the heck out of her. She has only ever been an amazing person to be around. She responds to you, she looks you in the eye," Stubbs explained.

After the current world No. 6 split with Gilbert, many wondered if she would wait for the season to end to hire a new coach or if she would instantly react. And she instantly reacted after confirming in Beijing this week that she arrived with coach Matt Daiy. Since the American has been working with Jean-Christophe Faurel for quite some time, Daly - who worked with Denis Shapovalov last year - isn't the only member of her coaching staff. 

Addressing at the China Open, the former world No. 2 sounded very happy about the newest addition.

"I'm really excited. I think this is probably what it will look like next year too. I'm super excited for a new change and hopefully to improve other parts of my game. Working with Brad was really great and obviously we had a great partnership. I think it was just time to do a reset, a refresh, and add some things in my game that I felt like I need to do to have a better season next year," Gauff told WTA Insider this week.

Truth be told, some were a bit surprised when the 20-year-old announced Daly because they expected that she would go for a big-time coaching name. However, the American has decided against going that route so far - and if she does well in the remainder of the year - she will probably continue with his partnership beyond 2024. 

Meanwhile, Gauff's collaboration with Gilbert was a major success since she became a WTA 1000 and a Grand Slam champion just a month and a half after hiring him in the summer of 2023. And judging by how they spoke about each other, their partnership ended on very good terms. 

"Thanks to @CocoGauff and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort. Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead. I’m excited for the next chapter in my coaching career," Gilbert said when announcing that he and Gauff decided to go their separate ways.