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Despite Horrendous Year on WTA Tour, 19YO Coco Gauff Oozes Optimism After Adding Andre Agassi’s Ex-Coach’s Expertise to Her Entourage

Published 08/01/2023, 11:37 AM EDT

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With the Citi Open 2023 in full swing, all eyes are on American tennis sensation Coco Gauff as she embarks on her journey to regain her peak form after facing a string of setbacks in recent tournaments. The 19-year-old prodigy, known for her fiery performances on the court, has decided to explore new avenues of improvement, which includes seeking advice from experienced coach Brad Gilbert.

As the tournament kicked off, Gauff opened up in a press conference about her rebuilding period and the impact of having Gilbert as a guest coach at the Citi Open.

Coco Gauff gets real with her revelation of rebuilding

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The press conference provided a unique glimpse into Coco Gauff’s inner world, as she unreservedly acknowledged the challenges she faced in recent tournaments. Despite showcasing her talent by reaching the semifinals of the Qatar Open, her singles performance had not been consistently at its peak. This raised questions about her coaching team and training methods, prompting her to embark on a rebuilding phase.

With admirable honesty and maturity, Gauff shared her outlook on embracing change and learning from different perspectives. She expressed, “Yeah, it’s something that I’m literally just starting. And, you know, I’m really open to learning from the game and learning from people and getting different perspectives, so I think that it will help me.” This readiness to evolve as a player indicated her determination to rise above her recent struggles and reclaim her position as one of tennis’s brightest stars.

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USA Today via Reuters

The young star emphasized the importance of handling pressure moments and key matches. “Yeah, I think having someone with a little bit more experience will help me like for the pressure moments, the semifinals, finals, quarterfinals. Those moments that I still think I need to get better at,” she acknowledged in her pre-tournament press conference.

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Andy Roddick adds his seal of approval

The news of Coco Gauff’s collaboration with Brad Gilbert resonated positively among tennis enthusiasts, and it was no different for former tennis champion Andy Roddick. Elated to see Gauff seeking guidance from his and Andre Agassi’s former coach, Roddick expressed his support and admiration for the decision.

ALSO READ: Quashing Months of Speculation Involving Serena Williams’ Former Coach, Coco Gauff Launches Sudden Career Move as She Attempts to Reclaim Lost Glory at US Open

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As Coco Gauff continues her quest for glory at the Citi Open 2023, the tennis world eagerly anticipates the impact of Brad Gilbert’s coaching. With her openness to change and embrace of new voices, it is clear that Gauff is determined to rise above her recent struggles and reach new heights in her promising career.

WATCH THIS STORY: How a Two-Word Message Was Enough to Rekindle the Romance Between Serena Williams and Husband Alexis Ohanian

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Written by:

Ansh Tandon

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Ansh Tandon is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. Ansh received his undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has been working in content creation for 2+ years. Before Ansh stepped into sports journalism, he was a professional tennis player, honing his skills in national level tournaments for the past 12 years as an active AITA athlete.
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Edited by:

Arijit Saha