Tennis

Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis sensation, has made a significant change to her coaching team ahead of the China Open. Matt Daly, a former coach of ATP former No. 10 Denis Shapovalov, has joined Jean-Christophe "JC" Faurel as Gauff's new coach.Gauff's decision to part ways with Brad Gilbert, who had been her coach for 14 months, stems from her desire to "reset" and "refresh" her game. She believes that Daly and Faurel can help her address areas that need improvement, particularly her serve.Under Gilbert's guidance, Gauff enjoyed a breakout summer in 2023, winning titles in Washington, D.C. and Cincinnati before capturing her first Grand Slam title at the US Open. However, her form dipped in 2024, with early exits from Wimbledon, the Summer Olympic Games, and the US Open.Gauff's serving woes were particularly evident at the US Open, where she struck 11 double faults in the third set of her fourth-round loss to Emma Navarro. She acknowledges that improving her serve is a top priority with her new coaches."When I serve well, I play pretty well," Gauff said. "For me, that's the basis for my game."Daly, a 45-year-old college tennis alum from Notre Dame University, brings a wealth of experience to Gauff's team. He previously coached Shapovalov to a career-high ranking of No. 10 in the world.Gauff is the No. 4 seed in Beijing and will play her first match against France's Clara Burel after receiving a first-round bye. She is determined to make a strong showing in China and use the tournament as a springboard for a successful 2025 season.

Brad Gilbert and Coco Gauff's coaching partnership has come to an end after a successful year together. Gilbert announced the split on social media, expressing gratitude for their time together and wishing Gauff continued success.Gilbert, a renowned coach who has worked with Andre Agassi, Andy Murray, and Andy Roddick, joined Gauff's team in 2023. Under their guidance, Gauff enjoyed a remarkable run, winning three titles and her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.However, after a strong start to 2024, Gauff's form declined. She struggled in the spring and summer, losing in the round of 16 at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Gauff also failed to medal at the Paris Olympics and lost in the second round of both WTA 1000 events leading up to the US Open.Gilbert's departure leaves Gauff without a head coach. She is expected to return to action at the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing on September 25th.Gauff's recent struggles have raised questions about her mental resilience and the need for a new coaching approach. Gilbert's departure may provide an opportunity for Gauff to reassess her game and find a coach who can help her overcome her current challenges.

Emma Raducanu, the reigning US Open champion, made a triumphant return to Wimbledon with a hard-fought 7-6(0), 6-3 victory over Mexican lucky loser Renata Zarazua. Despite some early nerves, Raducanu drew inspiration from England's dramatic victory over Slovakia in the European Championships and the teachings of renowned tennis coach Brad Gilbert.Raducanu's victory was not without its challenges. She was originally scheduled to face No. 22 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, but the Russian withdrew due to illness just hours before the match. This forced Raducanu to adjust her game plan against Zarazua, a defensive-minded player with a penchant for changing the pace and speed of the ball.Raducanu struggled to find her rhythm early on, losing a 4-1 lead in the first set and trailing 5-4 at one point. However, she remained composed and eventually took the set in a tiebreaker. In the second set, Raducanu broke Zarazua's serve twice to secure the victory.After the match, Raducanu acknowledged her nerves but praised her ability to "do what it takes to get over the line." She also credited the support of the crowd and the inspiration she drew from England's football team."Watching the football last night ... it was like winning ugly. It all counts!" Raducanu said.Raducanu also cited Brad Gilbert's book "Winning Ugly" as a source of motivation. She explained that the book's emphasis on managing the opponent and the circumstances resonated with her, especially in the opening round of a Grand Slam."I think it was a real show of character for me," Raducanu said.Raducanu will next face Elise Mertens in the second round, aiming to advance to the third round of a major for the first time since her US Open triumph.

Tennis enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly anticipating the release of "Challengers," a Zendaya-led film that delves into the captivating world of the sport. The film, set to premiere in theaters next week in the U.S., has already garnered significant buzz, particularly among the star's close-knit circle.Zendaya's grandmother, an avid tennis fan, is particularly excited about the film's release. "She loves tennis, so she was so excited that I'm doing this movie," Zendaya revealed during a recent press appearance. "She's setting up a whole thing with all of her friends to go [see it]."Despite the film's R-rating and its exploration of mature themes, Zendaya expressed confidence that her grandmother would not be fazed by any potentially racy scenes. "She's also seen 'Euphoria,'" Zendaya said, referring to the HBO show for which she has won two Emmy Awards. "So it'll be fine."The Los Angeles premiere of "Challengers" on Tuesday saw Zendaya gracing the red carpet, where she expressed her admiration for one of the WTA's rising stars, Coco Gauff. "I love Coco [Gauff], I haven't met her yet, but I sure hope so!" Zendaya exclaimed. "I know Brad's [Brad Gilbert, the film's tennis consultant] her coach, so I'm like, 'I want to meet her!'"While Gauff was unable to attend the premiere due to her participation in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, the tennis community was well-represented by Brad Gilbert, Eugenie Bouchard, and Venus Williams.

Brad Gilbert, renowned tennis coach and analyst, has recently ventured into the world of cinema as a tennis consultant for the upcoming film "Challengers." Gilbert's expertise has been instrumental in guiding the actors, including Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist, in portraying tennis scenes authentically.Gilbert's involvement in the film stemmed from his daughter's suggestion, recognizing his extensive knowledge in tennis. He spent several months working with the cast and production team, providing insights into the intricacies of the sport.Gilbert's experience with the actors revealed striking similarities between tennis and acting. Both disciplines demand physical prowess, sustained discipline, and an unwavering drive. He observed that actors, like tennis players, possess an innate determination and focus, honed through years of practice and performance.Zendaya, in particular, impressed Gilbert with her athleticism and eagerness to learn. She attended college tennis matches and meticulously studied footwork and swing patterns. Gilbert emphasized that while teaching actors to hit a tennis ball like professionals differs from instructing beginners, the focus remained on developing racquet skills and understanding the game's nuances.Gilbert's recent collaboration with Coco Gauff, who went on to win the US Open, underscores his ability to maximize performance. While the future of the "Challengers" cast members in tennis remains uncertain, they have undoubtedly benefited from Gilbert's expert guidance.

Mixed Doubles Makes a Splash at BNP Paribas OpenThe BNP Paribas Open, a prestigious joint ATP and WTA 1000 event, is set to introduce a groundbreaking initiative on Wednesday: a mixed doubles invitational with a substantial $150,000 purse. This exciting addition to the tournament has garnered praise from renowned coach Brad Gilbert, who described it as "very cool."The invitational will feature eight teams competing in a knockout format, boasting an impressive roster of 11 doubles major-winners. Among the participants are two couples who are also partners off the court: Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic, and Desirae Kraczyk and Andrew Harris, an American-Australian duo.The inclusion of mixed doubles at the BNP Paribas Open marks a significant step forward for the discipline. While mixed doubles has been a staple at the four Grand Slams since before the Open Era and returned to the Olympics in 2012, it has struggled to gain traction on the ATP and WTA tours.However, the advent of the United Cup in 2022 has reignited interest in mixed doubles. This innovative event, which features men and women competing for their countries on teams, became the first mixed-gender team event to offer both ATP and WTA rankings points. It replaced the Hopman Cup, which served as a similar tune-up event from 1989 to 2019.The success of the United Cup has raised hopes that the BNP Paribas Open's mixed doubles invitational could pave the way for more mixed doubles events on the tour. Only time will tell if this latest innovation will lead to a resurgence of mixed doubles in the tennis world.