Maria Sharapova has sage advice for Coco Gauff after America’s rift with coach

Maria Sharapova believes Coco Gauff is wise enough not to be distracted or negatively affected by coaching changes. The Russian tennis legend tells the 2023 US Open champion that she needs different things at different stages of her career and that being able to listen and trust is very important.

After hitting one of the lowest points of her career and clearly lacking confidence and struggling with doubts, the 20-year-old hired coach Brad Gilbert after Wimbledon 2023. And hiring Andre Agassi’s ex-coach proved to be an instant game-changer, as the American immediately started playing much better and won her first WTA 1000 and Grand Slam titles.

It should be noted that Gauff also worked with Pere Riba at the time.

But after posting her best-ever performance in the summer of 2023, it was a different story this summer. She lost at Wimbledon, the Paris Olympics and the round of 16 of the US Open, dropping from her highest ranking ever (number 2) to sixth place.

The fact that she failed to defend her title at Flushing Meadows and did not perform well there sealed Gilbert’s fate as Gauff’s coach, as the 20-year-old probably realised he could no longer help her.

Sharapova on the Gauff situation

“I think Coco has a great head on her shoulders and knows that there will be changes in her team over the years. What you need at one point in your career is not what you need later in your career. I’ve been very fortunate with the teams that I’ve had. I’m still very close to all of my coaches. They’re such big team members and they carry so much weight. A team is really important. It takes time to build trust and learn from (your team) and take their advice. But it’s a fun journey,” the former five-time Grand Slam champion told US Weekly.

During her highly successful career, Sharapova worked with several well-known names, including Michael Joyce, Jimmy Connors, Sven Groeneveld, Thomas Hogstedt and Riccardo Piatti, her last coach.

It remains to be seen when Gauff will find a new coach and who that will be.