Actress Zendaya’s performance in the romantic sports comedy film ‘Challengers’ left an impression on Serena Williams.
The 27-year-old actress revealed that the tennis icon, 42, has watched her latest performance as tennis player-turned-coach Tashi Duncan in the upcoming movie and she’s a fan, reports ‘People’ magazine.
Zendaya told Et, “She was like, ‘I know there definitely weren’t real (tennis) balls. She knows. She’s the best of the best. She did say that it was great considering that I had never, never touched a tennis ball before.”
Previously, Zendaya told the outlet that she was “very nervous about her seeing my tennis skills,” and apologised “in advance” to Serena and her sister Venus.
As per ‘People’, the actress had a fun back-and-forth with Venus on social media earlier in the week, and at the end of the month. She spoke about who specifically inspired her performance in the film,...
The 27-year-old actress revealed that the tennis icon, 42, has watched her latest performance as tennis player-turned-coach Tashi Duncan in the upcoming movie and she’s a fan, reports ‘People’ magazine.
Zendaya told Et, “She was like, ‘I know there definitely weren’t real (tennis) balls. She knows. She’s the best of the best. She did say that it was great considering that I had never, never touched a tennis ball before.”
Previously, Zendaya told the outlet that she was “very nervous about her seeing my tennis skills,” and apologised “in advance” to Serena and her sister Venus.
As per ‘People’, the actress had a fun back-and-forth with Venus on social media earlier in the week, and at the end of the month. She spoke about who specifically inspired her performance in the film,...
- 4/21/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Mark Ruffalo is returning to the stage in a one-night performance of the new play Ironweed: An Evening of Art & Humanity.
Ruffalo will star opposite Jessica Hecht in a performance set for May 17 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The play is based on William Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which was first published in 1983, and conceived of by Jodie Markell, who directs, and Brad Gilbert, who is the producer.
In addition to the onstage cast, the performance will include excerpts from the audio recording of the play, which is set to be released in fall 2024 and features Norbert Leo Butz, Kristine Nielsen, John Magaro, Michael Potts, David Rysdahl, Frank Wood and Katie Erbe, as well as songs by Tom Waits and an original score by Tamar-kali.
The play is set on All Hallow’s Eve in Albany in 1938. Francis Phelan, played by Ruffalo, returns to his hometown after being...
Ruffalo will star opposite Jessica Hecht in a performance set for May 17 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The play is based on William Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which was first published in 1983, and conceived of by Jodie Markell, who directs, and Brad Gilbert, who is the producer.
In addition to the onstage cast, the performance will include excerpts from the audio recording of the play, which is set to be released in fall 2024 and features Norbert Leo Butz, Kristine Nielsen, John Magaro, Michael Potts, David Rysdahl, Frank Wood and Katie Erbe, as well as songs by Tom Waits and an original score by Tamar-kali.
The play is set on All Hallow’s Eve in Albany in 1938. Francis Phelan, played by Ruffalo, returns to his hometown after being...
- 4/15/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Zendaya plays a former tennis player turned coach, Tashi Duncan, in her upcoming Challengers. Following her roles in the Spider-Man franchise and Dune, Zendaya was presented with a new type of challenge for this Luca Guadagnino directorial. During a recent interview, the actress revealed that she devised a very unique plan to perfectly play the role of a tennis pro.
Challengers (2024)
It was extremely hard for the Euphoria fame to elevate her tennis playing skills to an elite level. Despite being trained by some of the most renowned names in the field, the 27-year-old struggled to crack the perfect technique. Ultimately, she devised a unique idea and saw it more as a dance, which helped her to perfectly fake it on camera.
How did Zendaya make her tennis look flawless in Challengers?
Zendaya in Challengers
The upcoming movie Challengers, made by the Call Me By Your Name fame Luca Guadagnino,...
Challengers (2024)
It was extremely hard for the Euphoria fame to elevate her tennis playing skills to an elite level. Despite being trained by some of the most renowned names in the field, the 27-year-old struggled to crack the perfect technique. Ultimately, she devised a unique idea and saw it more as a dance, which helped her to perfectly fake it on camera.
How did Zendaya make her tennis look flawless in Challengers?
Zendaya in Challengers
The upcoming movie Challengers, made by the Call Me By Your Name fame Luca Guadagnino,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Subham Mandal
- FandomWire
Hollywood casting can be a fickle thing. But for actresses who’ve graced the silver screen as Spider-Man’s love interest, there seems to be a recurring theme – a hidden talent for tennis!
A still from Spider-Man
Believe it or not, all three actresses—Kirsten Dunst, Emma Stone, and Zendaya—who have portrayed Spider-Man’s love interest on the big screen share a surprising connection to the world of tennis.
It’s not merely a coincidence; each of them has actually portrayed a tennis player in different movies, following their roles in Spider-Man flicks.
Spider-Man Actresses Have Unexpected Tennis Connection
The first connection in this web of coincidence takes us back to 2004’s romantic comedy Wimbledon. Kirsten Dunst, who famously portrayed Mary Jane Watson in Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man trilogy, took on the role of Lizzie Bradbury, a determined young tennis player on the verge of success.
Kirsten Dunst as...
A still from Spider-Man
Believe it or not, all three actresses—Kirsten Dunst, Emma Stone, and Zendaya—who have portrayed Spider-Man’s love interest on the big screen share a surprising connection to the world of tennis.
It’s not merely a coincidence; each of them has actually portrayed a tennis player in different movies, following their roles in Spider-Man flicks.
Spider-Man Actresses Have Unexpected Tennis Connection
The first connection in this web of coincidence takes us back to 2004’s romantic comedy Wimbledon. Kirsten Dunst, who famously portrayed Mary Jane Watson in Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man trilogy, took on the role of Lizzie Bradbury, a determined young tennis player on the verge of success.
Kirsten Dunst as...
- 4/4/2024
- by Shreya Jha
- FandomWire
As Zendaya walks the red carpet at Dune Part 2 with an outfit that resembles the Metropolis robot as a dominatrix, you can catch her in the trailer for the newest drama from Amazon MGM Studios, Challengers. The trailer reels you in with the dynamic of Zendaya’s tennis pro taking on two male protégés as they, too, embark on their professional tennis careers. Things get hot and heavy (then complicated) when Zendaya’s character entangles herself with both men. MGM has released the new trailer with a few new images that, interestingly, all involve a side two-shot of characters in conversation.
The official synopsis from MGM reads,
“From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist...
The official synopsis from MGM reads,
“From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist...
- 2/21/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Zendaya is game, set, match for Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers.”
The tennis-centric drama follows Zendaya’s Tashi Duncan, a once-promising tennis prodigy whose knee injury puts her out of the game for good. However, Tashi isn’t one to shy away from a challenge: She steps in to coach husband Art (Mike Faist) and ex Patrick (Josh O’Connor), playing them off each other. Years later, though, she’s once again torn between the duo even after Patrick re-enters her and Art’s married life.
Guadagnino directs the film from a script penned by Justin Kuritzkes. Lead star Zendaya produces “Challengers,” along with Guadagnino, Amy Pascal, and Rachel O’Connor. Bernard Bellew, Lorenzo Mieli, and Kevin Ulrich executive produce.
Director Guadagnino revealed that the cast trained for three months with former professional tennis player Brad Gilbert, who served as a consultant on the film. The cast spent two to three hours playing tennis six days a week,...
The tennis-centric drama follows Zendaya’s Tashi Duncan, a once-promising tennis prodigy whose knee injury puts her out of the game for good. However, Tashi isn’t one to shy away from a challenge: She steps in to coach husband Art (Mike Faist) and ex Patrick (Josh O’Connor), playing them off each other. Years later, though, she’s once again torn between the duo even after Patrick re-enters her and Art’s married life.
Guadagnino directs the film from a script penned by Justin Kuritzkes. Lead star Zendaya produces “Challengers,” along with Guadagnino, Amy Pascal, and Rachel O’Connor. Bernard Bellew, Lorenzo Mieli, and Kevin Ulrich executive produce.
Director Guadagnino revealed that the cast trained for three months with former professional tennis player Brad Gilbert, who served as a consultant on the film. The cast spent two to three hours playing tennis six days a week,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Coco Gauff's coach, Brad Gilbert has given one principal reason for the teenager's historic US Open triumph.
Gauff has recently admitted that she felt she needed to win a Grand Slam as a teenager. Last year's US Open represented one of the final opportunities for the American to achieve that dream.
Veteran coach Gilbert joined Gauff's team in August 2023. He has previously worked with big names such as Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori. Agassi won 6 of his Grand Slams under Gilbert's guidance.
Gilbert received much praise for his role in Gauff's triumph at Flushing Meadows. Although all the other current and previous members of Gauff's team also deserve a lot of credit for their roles in her development to that point, Gilbert did seem to help the teenager's mentality.
Now, Gilbert has spoken about his work with the US Open champion. As well as confirming...
Gauff has recently admitted that she felt she needed to win a Grand Slam as a teenager. Last year's US Open represented one of the final opportunities for the American to achieve that dream.
Veteran coach Gilbert joined Gauff's team in August 2023. He has previously worked with big names such as Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori. Agassi won 6 of his Grand Slams under Gilbert's guidance.
Gilbert received much praise for his role in Gauff's triumph at Flushing Meadows. Although all the other current and previous members of Gauff's team also deserve a lot of credit for their roles in her development to that point, Gilbert did seem to help the teenager's mentality.
Now, Gilbert has spoken about his work with the US Open champion. As well as confirming...
- 1/2/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton's superb seasons have led to both players being handed the same honour on a joint basis.
There had been concern during the last decade about the state of tennis in the USA, and of a possible long-term decline in the number of top players coming through who can challenge for the biggest honours.
Gauff, who is set to reunite with Jessica Pegula at the 2024 Australian Open, and Shelton have played a big role in changing those perceptions. This is especially true of Gauff, who has inspired millions.
19-year-old Gauff and 21-year-old Shelton undoubtedly represent the future of tennis on both the Atp and Wta Tours. That reality is represented by the name of the honour given to both players.
Gauff and Shelton have been named as ESPN's breakthrough players of the year. The sports broadcaster also named Christopher Eubanks' run to the Wimbledon...
There had been concern during the last decade about the state of tennis in the USA, and of a possible long-term decline in the number of top players coming through who can challenge for the biggest honours.
Gauff, who is set to reunite with Jessica Pegula at the 2024 Australian Open, and Shelton have played a big role in changing those perceptions. This is especially true of Gauff, who has inspired millions.
19-year-old Gauff and 21-year-old Shelton undoubtedly represent the future of tennis on both the Atp and Wta Tours. That reality is represented by the name of the honour given to both players.
Gauff and Shelton have been named as ESPN's breakthrough players of the year. The sports broadcaster also named Christopher Eubanks' run to the Wimbledon...
- 1/1/2024
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff had a pretty strange year in 2023 as she endured both the lowest point and the highlight of her career.
It was a pretty strange year for the American tennis phenom. On the one hand, she started it with a Wta 250 trophy in Auckland but then had a pretty bad run of results, culminating with an early exit from Wimbledon.
That was one of her worst losses, and she calls it the lowest point of her career. It kind of makes sense because it was the latest in a string of bad results, which made her career look like it was going nowhere.
She didn't know that only two months later, she would become a Grand Slam champion, and that low point might have been the catalyst and the 19-year-old talked about it ahead of her return to the 2024 Asb Classic, where she's set to begin her new season.
It was a pretty strange year for the American tennis phenom. On the one hand, she started it with a Wta 250 trophy in Auckland but then had a pretty bad run of results, culminating with an early exit from Wimbledon.
That was one of her worst losses, and she calls it the lowest point of her career. It kind of makes sense because it was the latest in a string of bad results, which made her career look like it was going nowhere.
She didn't know that only two months later, she would become a Grand Slam champion, and that low point might have been the catalyst and the 19-year-old talked about it ahead of her return to the 2024 Asb Classic, where she's set to begin her new season.
- 12/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff showed the tennis world her true potential in 2023, but she's yet to dominate the game as many expect her to.
When the young American showed her potential to everyone at Wimbledon four years ago as a 15-year-old, huge predictions started to appear, and many went as far as comparing her to Serena Williams.
So far, she's yet to come close to those heights, but it can still be possible, mainly because Gauff already tasted major success in 2023, and with the next season ahead of us, she can go even a step further.
First of all, it's important to avoid having big expectations from Gauff. She's still only 19, and even if 2024 wouldn't be her major breakthrough year, there are still many seasons on the Wta Tour left in her career.
But already in 2023, she showed that she's ready for stardom, and in 2024, she can rise to it, and she...
When the young American showed her potential to everyone at Wimbledon four years ago as a 15-year-old, huge predictions started to appear, and many went as far as comparing her to Serena Williams.
So far, she's yet to come close to those heights, but it can still be possible, mainly because Gauff already tasted major success in 2023, and with the next season ahead of us, she can go even a step further.
First of all, it's important to avoid having big expectations from Gauff. She's still only 19, and even if 2024 wouldn't be her major breakthrough year, there are still many seasons on the Wta Tour left in her career.
But already in 2023, she showed that she's ready for stardom, and in 2024, she can rise to it, and she...
- 12/11/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
According to former Wta player Andrea Petkovic, Coco Gauff's season turned around when Brad Gilbert joined, but Pere Riba deserves some credit as well.
Petkovic was a guest on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, where she talked about many topics on both sides of the sport. Quite a few minutes were spent on Coco Gauff and how she turned around her season after the Wimbledon loss to Sofia Kenin.
She would win a few events, including her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open, which made this year a huge success. It didn't start out that way, and it wasn't until Pere Riba joined as coach that things started to shift.
Brad Gilbert joined not long after that, so it's really hard to pinpoint who deserves bigger credit. Gauff herself always maintained that they worked as a team bouncing off ideas, but Petkovic feels that Riba's role is grossly undersold in recent conversations.
Petkovic was a guest on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, where she talked about many topics on both sides of the sport. Quite a few minutes were spent on Coco Gauff and how she turned around her season after the Wimbledon loss to Sofia Kenin.
She would win a few events, including her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open, which made this year a huge success. It didn't start out that way, and it wasn't until Pere Riba joined as coach that things started to shift.
Brad Gilbert joined not long after that, so it's really hard to pinpoint who deserves bigger credit. Gauff herself always maintained that they worked as a team bouncing off ideas, but Petkovic feels that Riba's role is grossly undersold in recent conversations.
- 12/6/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff had a pretty spectacular turnaround in 2023, one which started at Wimbledon, according to former Wta player Rennae Stubbs.
Stubbs has served as Serena Williams's most recent coach, who was with her at her final event. Before that, she had a pretty successful tennis career, so she knows what she's talking about when it comes to tennis.
As someone who has watched Gauff up close, Stubbs firmly believes that the Wimbledon loss to Sofia Kenin turned her season around. It's pretty hard to argue against it because it really did.
It was somewhat of a low point for Gauff, who knew that things had to change. She went back home to the States and brought in an experienced voice (Brad Gilbert), which changed a lot of things, and Stubbs discussed it in her Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.
It's sort of similar to Serena losing first round of the French Open,...
Stubbs has served as Serena Williams's most recent coach, who was with her at her final event. Before that, she had a pretty successful tennis career, so she knows what she's talking about when it comes to tennis.
As someone who has watched Gauff up close, Stubbs firmly believes that the Wimbledon loss to Sofia Kenin turned her season around. It's pretty hard to argue against it because it really did.
It was somewhat of a low point for Gauff, who knew that things had to change. She went back home to the States and brought in an experienced voice (Brad Gilbert), which changed a lot of things, and Stubbs discussed it in her Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.
It's sort of similar to Serena losing first round of the French Open,...
- 12/6/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
We're just a few days into December, and the Wta's coaching carousel is fast becoming a talking point for the short offseason.
Despite having a rigorous playing schedule with 11 months of intense competition, tennis, remarkably, has a barely-existent offseason, and professional tennis players are known to have one of the shortest periods of respite.
For them, this is a moment of self-evaluation, vacationing, visiting dear friends they missed the entire year while globetrotting, and perhaps most importantly, making coaching appointments or adjusting the coaching setup ahead of the new season.
The last of that statement has happened rapidly, with three Wta stars ringing the changes already for people they call their confidants. Perhaps the most surprising coaching change is that of China's newest star, Qinwen Zheng, who appointed the soft-spoken former Atp player Pere Riba.
Riba Splits With Gauff For Undisclosed Reasons
Pere Riba - a Spaniard from Barcelona...
Despite having a rigorous playing schedule with 11 months of intense competition, tennis, remarkably, has a barely-existent offseason, and professional tennis players are known to have one of the shortest periods of respite.
For them, this is a moment of self-evaluation, vacationing, visiting dear friends they missed the entire year while globetrotting, and perhaps most importantly, making coaching appointments or adjusting the coaching setup ahead of the new season.
The last of that statement has happened rapidly, with three Wta stars ringing the changes already for people they call their confidants. Perhaps the most surprising coaching change is that of China's newest star, Qinwen Zheng, who appointed the soft-spoken former Atp player Pere Riba.
Riba Splits With Gauff For Undisclosed Reasons
Pere Riba - a Spaniard from Barcelona...
- 12/5/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Much has been said about the forehand of Coco Gauff and the need to change it, but one former Wta player doesn't think it's needed.
As Gauff struggled in the first half of this year, more and more people pointed out her forehand as the issue. It's not the best forehand in the world and likely not one of the better ones, but it can get the job done when she confidently swings it.
We've seen that at the US Open, where she won the trophy. It's good enough essentially, which is why it doesn't need to change, according to former player Pam Shriver. She talked to the Wta about the 2024 season, saying that Gauff doesn't need a better forehand to win many Grand Slams.
I was concerned about Coco, and then just look how she finished out the summer. I feel like the voice of Bg helped her enormously.
As Gauff struggled in the first half of this year, more and more people pointed out her forehand as the issue. It's not the best forehand in the world and likely not one of the better ones, but it can get the job done when she confidently swings it.
We've seen that at the US Open, where she won the trophy. It's good enough essentially, which is why it doesn't need to change, according to former player Pam Shriver. She talked to the Wta about the 2024 season, saying that Gauff doesn't need a better forehand to win many Grand Slams.
I was concerned about Coco, and then just look how she finished out the summer. I feel like the voice of Bg helped her enormously.
- 12/3/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
The former coach of Coco Gauff Pere Riba did some good things with the player, however, they suddenly split and the reason might be known right now.
Coco Gauff spent much of the spring this year searching for a coach. She didn't rush the decision but wanted to find someone who could work well for her. The choice ended up being former player Pere Riba, who had been working as a coach for a few years.
Despite being relatively young, Riba did some good work with Gauff. Things exploded after Brad Gilbert joined the team, as Gauff had the best month of her career. Several trophies, including her maiden US Open trophy, and Gauff was firmly considered one of the best players in the world.
Things looked great, but then came the news of their split. It was rather shocking because everything seemed fine, but Riba was out. Gauff confirmed...
Coco Gauff spent much of the spring this year searching for a coach. She didn't rush the decision but wanted to find someone who could work well for her. The choice ended up being former player Pere Riba, who had been working as a coach for a few years.
Despite being relatively young, Riba did some good work with Gauff. Things exploded after Brad Gilbert joined the team, as Gauff had the best month of her career. Several trophies, including her maiden US Open trophy, and Gauff was firmly considered one of the best players in the world.
Things looked great, but then came the news of their split. It was rather shocking because everything seemed fine, but Riba was out. Gauff confirmed...
- 12/3/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Tracy Austin had the expectations of a nation on her shoulders at one point in her career, so she knows very well how it felt for Coco Gauff during the US Open.
Austin is a former player who won 30 titles in her career and was number one on the Wta Tour at one point. She also won two Grand Slam trophies, which Gauff has yet to do. Nobody questions whether Gauff will do it, especially after she won her maiden Grand Slam trophy against Aryna Sabalenka in pretty difficult circumstances.
While it might have looked pretty easy on the court, it really wasn't. She was under tremendous pressure to deliver a good result, especially as she approached the prize. As someone who carried the hopes of an entire nation, Tracy Austin knows how difficult it is.
Speaking to tennis.com, Austin shared how impressed she was with the way Gauff...
Austin is a former player who won 30 titles in her career and was number one on the Wta Tour at one point. She also won two Grand Slam trophies, which Gauff has yet to do. Nobody questions whether Gauff will do it, especially after she won her maiden Grand Slam trophy against Aryna Sabalenka in pretty difficult circumstances.
While it might have looked pretty easy on the court, it really wasn't. She was under tremendous pressure to deliver a good result, especially as she approached the prize. As someone who carried the hopes of an entire nation, Tracy Austin knows how difficult it is.
Speaking to tennis.com, Austin shared how impressed she was with the way Gauff...
- 12/1/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Martina Navratilova examined what the next step for Coco Gauff might look like as the American enters one of the most important seasons of her career.
Navratilova has followed Gauff ever since she broke out in tennis. She was there in Cancun, watching her battle at the Wta Finals, and was pretty impressed with what she saw.
The American didn't qualify for the semi-final, but she looked far more impressive than last year in Fort Worth, where Navratilova also was. It's been a really solid season for the American, who won several trophies, two big ones.
One of those was the US Open, which is the most important one as she finally got her maiden Grand Slam, but also a Wta 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. Therefore, she can now relax and focus on improving as a player.
What that might look like was a question posed to Martina Navratilova in a recent interview with the Wta,...
Navratilova has followed Gauff ever since she broke out in tennis. She was there in Cancun, watching her battle at the Wta Finals, and was pretty impressed with what she saw.
The American didn't qualify for the semi-final, but she looked far more impressive than last year in Fort Worth, where Navratilova also was. It's been a really solid season for the American, who won several trophies, two big ones.
One of those was the US Open, which is the most important one as she finally got her maiden Grand Slam, but also a Wta 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. Therefore, she can now relax and focus on improving as a player.
What that might look like was a question posed to Martina Navratilova in a recent interview with the Wta,...
- 11/17/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff finished her 2023 Wta season just recently, but she's already back in preparation ahead of the 2024 season.
The 2023 campaign for Gauff was a proper roller coaster. She started well and then suffered setback after setback, failing to really find her best tennis. She would eventually find it a bit later in the year on native soil, winning a couple of trophies, including the big one.
It came at the 2023 US Open, which was her maiden Grand Slam trophy. It was a huge moment for her because she really needed a big result. People wondered when she'd break out, and she did it at the perfect time, reminding everyone how good she could be.
The rest of the year was pretty decent, but she didn't come close to playing her best tennis. Some wins in China and more in Mexico weren't the way she wanted to finish the year, but...
The 2023 campaign for Gauff was a proper roller coaster. She started well and then suffered setback after setback, failing to really find her best tennis. She would eventually find it a bit later in the year on native soil, winning a couple of trophies, including the big one.
It came at the 2023 US Open, which was her maiden Grand Slam trophy. It was a huge moment for her because she really needed a big result. People wondered when she'd break out, and she did it at the perfect time, reminding everyone how good she could be.
The rest of the year was pretty decent, but she didn't come close to playing her best tennis. Some wins in China and more in Mexico weren't the way she wanted to finish the year, but...
- 11/17/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff enjoyed a tremendous season highlighted by her year-long presence in the world's Top 10 and achieved some important milestones in 2023.
It was a season that began on a winning note at the Wta 250 event in Auckland, overcoming the disappointment of losing some key personnel in her coaching team and crowning her season with a maiden Grand Slam.
Within a 12-month stretch, it is hard to pick another name as the Wta's most improved performer. Gauff compiled a 51-16 record for the season and won four titles. It was her career-best year on tour by a mile. So how did she do it?
Year-End Ranking: 3rd
Coco Gauff attained a career-best ranking of World No. 3 after the conclusion of the US swing. It was the perfect summer for the 19-year-old who became the youngest American player to win the US Open since Serena Williams over two decades ago.
Gauff's breakthrough...
It was a season that began on a winning note at the Wta 250 event in Auckland, overcoming the disappointment of losing some key personnel in her coaching team and crowning her season with a maiden Grand Slam.
Within a 12-month stretch, it is hard to pick another name as the Wta's most improved performer. Gauff compiled a 51-16 record for the season and won four titles. It was her career-best year on tour by a mile. So how did she do it?
Year-End Ranking: 3rd
Coco Gauff attained a career-best ranking of World No. 3 after the conclusion of the US swing. It was the perfect summer for the 19-year-old who became the youngest American player to win the US Open since Serena Williams over two decades ago.
Gauff's breakthrough...
- 11/16/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff's coach Brad Gilbert has called Novak Djokovic's accomplishments this season the best by a male player on the Atp Tour in the last 50 years.
Djokovic celebrated a record-setting eighth year-end No. 1 ranking on Monday when he was presented with the trophy by Atp chairman Andrea Gaudenzi during a brief ceremony at the Atp Finals in Turin. It came less than 24 hours from his epic win over Holger Rune at the tournament.
The victory cemented Djokovic's place in top spot ahead of Carlos Alcaraz and broke his own record of becoming the oldest year-end No. 1 at 36. The Serbian was ecstatic after putting together another year for the history books, winning half of the tournaments he played in 2023.
Djokovic owns the joint-most Atp titles this season despite playing the fewest number of tournaments of any Top 10 player. He compiled a 27-1 record in Grand Slams, winning the Australian Open,...
Djokovic celebrated a record-setting eighth year-end No. 1 ranking on Monday when he was presented with the trophy by Atp chairman Andrea Gaudenzi during a brief ceremony at the Atp Finals in Turin. It came less than 24 hours from his epic win over Holger Rune at the tournament.
The victory cemented Djokovic's place in top spot ahead of Carlos Alcaraz and broke his own record of becoming the oldest year-end No. 1 at 36. The Serbian was ecstatic after putting together another year for the history books, winning half of the tournaments he played in 2023.
Djokovic owns the joint-most Atp titles this season despite playing the fewest number of tournaments of any Top 10 player. He compiled a 27-1 record in Grand Slams, winning the Australian Open,...
- 11/15/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff 's former coach, Pere Riba, briefly commented on their split to Spanish publication Marca, admitting he decided to initiate the split.
Pere Riba joined Gauff ahead of Wimbledon and looked to have a really positive impact on the American. With the inclusion of veteran voice Brad Gilbert, the American had an amazing month of tennis in the United States, playing some spectacular tennis to win several trophies, including the US Open .
Everything looked really great because not only was she playing well, but she was also enjoying working with the team she built. Riba and Gilbert got along well; they shared the same vision for Gauff, and it seemed to be working.
Fast forward to now, Wta Finals week, and Riba is not Mexico. Rumors quickly started to spread, and the news came down. During the broadcast, the Tennis Channel announcers broke the news that Riba and Gauff...
Pere Riba joined Gauff ahead of Wimbledon and looked to have a really positive impact on the American. With the inclusion of veteran voice Brad Gilbert, the American had an amazing month of tennis in the United States, playing some spectacular tennis to win several trophies, including the US Open .
Everything looked really great because not only was she playing well, but she was also enjoying working with the team she built. Riba and Gilbert got along well; they shared the same vision for Gauff, and it seemed to be working.
Fast forward to now, Wta Finals week, and Riba is not Mexico. Rumors quickly started to spread, and the news came down. During the broadcast, the Tennis Channel announcers broke the news that Riba and Gauff...
- 11/4/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff is not working with Pere Riba anymore, and the Spanish coach finally broke his silence on the matter.
The announcement of their split came fairly recently during her first match at the Wta Finals , as the announcers revealed it. It came as a shock to many tennis fans, who swiftly reacted on social media, wondering why the split occurred.
Everything looked perfect in her team as both her coach and her advisor, Brad Gilbert, worked well together. The results, after all, speak for themselves.
Under them, Gauff won several big events, including her maiden Grand Slam. Now, a few weeks after that, he's out of the team. It was a strange situation, but Gauff cleared it up after her win at the Wta Finals .
According to Gauff, it wasn't her decision but rather that of Riba, who had some things to deal with. The Spanish coach broke his...
The announcement of their split came fairly recently during her first match at the Wta Finals , as the announcers revealed it. It came as a shock to many tennis fans, who swiftly reacted on social media, wondering why the split occurred.
Everything looked perfect in her team as both her coach and her advisor, Brad Gilbert, worked well together. The results, after all, speak for themselves.
Under them, Gauff won several big events, including her maiden Grand Slam. Now, a few weeks after that, he's out of the team. It was a strange situation, but Gauff cleared it up after her win at the Wta Finals .
According to Gauff, it wasn't her decision but rather that of Riba, who had some things to deal with. The Spanish coach broke his...
- 11/2/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff has broken her silence on the split between her and tennis coach Pere Riba, who helped her achieve some great results in the previous months.
Gauff hired Riba ahead of Wimbledon after an extensive search for a coach. She didn't rush the decision and felt pretty good about the decision made, and time proved her right.
She improved under Riba, especially after the inclusion of veteran coaching voice Brad Gilbert. She won the US Open along with some other trophies, and everything looked fine; however, the team has split up since then.
Gilbert remains in Gauff's team and is with her in Cancun, while Riba is not. The news about the split was announced during the broadcast of her match at the Wta Finals, leaving many people stunned.
Following that win over Ons Jabeur, Gauff confirmed the news and explained that it wasn't her decision. She enjoyed working with Riba,...
Gauff hired Riba ahead of Wimbledon after an extensive search for a coach. She didn't rush the decision and felt pretty good about the decision made, and time proved her right.
She improved under Riba, especially after the inclusion of veteran coaching voice Brad Gilbert. She won the US Open along with some other trophies, and everything looked fine; however, the team has split up since then.
Gilbert remains in Gauff's team and is with her in Cancun, while Riba is not. The news about the split was announced during the broadcast of her match at the Wta Finals, leaving many people stunned.
Following that win over Ons Jabeur, Gauff confirmed the news and explained that it wasn't her decision. She enjoyed working with Riba,...
- 11/1/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff hired Pere Riba over the summer, and for a while, it looked great; however, they are not working together anymore.
This was rather shocking news to many in the community, especially in the manner it was announced. During her match at the Wta Finals against Ons Jabeur, Chanda Rubin and Lindsay Davenport dropped the news that Gauff was not working with Pere Riba anymore.
She hired him leading up to Wimbledon after some good recommendations by other players. He was quite a modern voice in Gauff's camp, pushing her to play more aggressive tennis than before.
While Wimbledon didn't go that well, things looked much better after that. Some attributed that to her bringing in veteran coaching voice Brad Gilbert, which she kind of confirmed.
She maintained that they all worked as a team and were getting along well. Nobody questioned that because she was winning and playing great tennis.
This was rather shocking news to many in the community, especially in the manner it was announced. During her match at the Wta Finals against Ons Jabeur, Chanda Rubin and Lindsay Davenport dropped the news that Gauff was not working with Pere Riba anymore.
She hired him leading up to Wimbledon after some good recommendations by other players. He was quite a modern voice in Gauff's camp, pushing her to play more aggressive tennis than before.
While Wimbledon didn't go that well, things looked much better after that. Some attributed that to her bringing in veteran coaching voice Brad Gilbert, which she kind of confirmed.
She maintained that they all worked as a team and were getting along well. Nobody questioned that because she was winning and playing great tennis.
- 10/31/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff is going to be one of the players to watch at the 2023 Wta Finals , and Martina Navratilova sees her as a threat.
There has been a lot of maturing for Gauff this year as she's finally figured out how to win. It took her a while and didn't happen overnight, though it seemed that way.
Out of nowhere, the American won several big events leading up to the US Open and then did the unthinkable. She beat everybody to win her maiden Grand Slam trophy , which was a huge surprise to everyone.
She did play well, but not many expected her to really go all the way. It was a big thing for her; nobody underestimates her now, especially ahead of the 2023 Wta Finals.
She’s figured out how to win, even when she’s not playing her best tennis. I think she’s got clarity now with the game plan.
There has been a lot of maturing for Gauff this year as she's finally figured out how to win. It took her a while and didn't happen overnight, though it seemed that way.
Out of nowhere, the American won several big events leading up to the US Open and then did the unthinkable. She beat everybody to win her maiden Grand Slam trophy , which was a huge surprise to everyone.
She did play well, but not many expected her to really go all the way. It was a big thing for her; nobody underestimates her now, especially ahead of the 2023 Wta Finals.
She’s figured out how to win, even when she’s not playing her best tennis. I think she’s got clarity now with the game plan.
- 10/29/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Former Wta player Pam Shriver praised Coco Gauff for her decision to retool her coaching team, which proved crucial for her tremendous breakout.
For much of her career, Coco Gauff was coached by her father. As she became better and better, Gauff started to work with other people, such as Patrick Mouratoglou, who also briefly served as her coach during the clay season this year.
The American didn't have a great time during that time and opted to retool her coaching team, allowing her father to step back and bringing in Pere Riba as the primary coach.
They clicked as both wanted her to be more of an attacking player, and with the inclusion of experienced voice Brad Gilbert, things simply went to another level.
She went supernova during the US Open stretch, ending up as the US Open champion with a 10+ match winning streak. It was a tremendous turnaround...
For much of her career, Coco Gauff was coached by her father. As she became better and better, Gauff started to work with other people, such as Patrick Mouratoglou, who also briefly served as her coach during the clay season this year.
The American didn't have a great time during that time and opted to retool her coaching team, allowing her father to step back and bringing in Pere Riba as the primary coach.
They clicked as both wanted her to be more of an attacking player, and with the inclusion of experienced voice Brad Gilbert, things simply went to another level.
She went supernova during the US Open stretch, ending up as the US Open champion with a 10+ match winning streak. It was a tremendous turnaround...
- 10/14/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff caught a lot of criticism for her forehand, but former Wta player Pam Shriver doesn't think it's a total disaster.
Despite catching a lot of fire for her forehand, Coco Gauff became a Grand Slam champion. It's not her best shot, and it can certainly be better, but as her coach, Brad Gilbert, suggested, it's not really that terrible because it works.
For former player Pam Shriver, the situation is clear. It's not a terrible shot, but it can certainly be better and needs to be better if she is ever going to become what she hopes to become. She spoke about her forehand in a recent episode of the Inside In Podcast .
There hadn't been a shot that was as criticized as much as the Coco Gauff's forehand, all year long through Wimbledon, and then for her to be able to figure out how to, emotionally, put...
Despite catching a lot of fire for her forehand, Coco Gauff became a Grand Slam champion. It's not her best shot, and it can certainly be better, but as her coach, Brad Gilbert, suggested, it's not really that terrible because it works.
For former player Pam Shriver, the situation is clear. It's not a terrible shot, but it can certainly be better and needs to be better if she is ever going to become what she hopes to become. She spoke about her forehand in a recent episode of the Inside In Podcast .
There hadn't been a shot that was as criticized as much as the Coco Gauff's forehand, all year long through Wimbledon, and then for her to be able to figure out how to, emotionally, put...
- 10/14/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff opened up about the influence of veteran coach Brad Gilbert on her tennis career, considering her stellar rise since she started working with him.
The experience of Brad Gilbert in professional tennis is huge as he coached some of the biggest names in the sport. He's been an amazing influence on many players and we're currently seeing it in real-time with Gauff.
She talked about why she started working with him in the past , explaining that his experience helps her less experienced coach, Pere Riba. They all clicked together, and it's worked out amazing so far as Gauff won three trophies under the new team.
The most important was the US Open trophy , which will be a defining moment in her career. While continuing her tremendous run at the 2023 China Open in Beijing, Gauff talked a bit about the influence Gilbert has on her.
Yeah, I think he...
The experience of Brad Gilbert in professional tennis is huge as he coached some of the biggest names in the sport. He's been an amazing influence on many players and we're currently seeing it in real-time with Gauff.
She talked about why she started working with him in the past , explaining that his experience helps her less experienced coach, Pere Riba. They all clicked together, and it's worked out amazing so far as Gauff won three trophies under the new team.
The most important was the US Open trophy , which will be a defining moment in her career. While continuing her tremendous run at the 2023 China Open in Beijing, Gauff talked a bit about the influence Gilbert has on her.
Yeah, I think he...
- 10/7/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff is a Grand Slam champion, and according to coach Darren Cahill, her new team played a vital part in her success.
As the player who goes out and plays the sport, most of the credit for winning the US Open still belongs to Gauff. Even so, some of that credit also goes out to her team because they transformed her season from a 'failure' after the shocking Wimbledon exit to a success story with the recent US Open run.
Gauff started working with Pere Riba before Wimbledon, and while she praised his efforts, he did lack a bit of experience. Coaching is something that he's been only doing for a few years, so the inclusion of veteran coach Brad Gilbert as an advisor prior to the US Open stretch isn't surprising.
Gauff raved about his input, explaining how it made her more focused and serious, and noted coach Darren Cahill agrees with that.
As the player who goes out and plays the sport, most of the credit for winning the US Open still belongs to Gauff. Even so, some of that credit also goes out to her team because they transformed her season from a 'failure' after the shocking Wimbledon exit to a success story with the recent US Open run.
Gauff started working with Pere Riba before Wimbledon, and while she praised his efforts, he did lack a bit of experience. Coaching is something that he's been only doing for a few years, so the inclusion of veteran coach Brad Gilbert as an advisor prior to the US Open stretch isn't surprising.
Gauff raved about his input, explaining how it made her more focused and serious, and noted coach Darren Cahill agrees with that.
- 9/19/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff won the US Open recently, and according to coach Brad Gilbert, they partied hard after the success.
Brad Gilbert has seen a fair share of Grand Slam champions in his time, but even he was amazed by the turnaround Gauff managed to do in such a short time. She lost early at Wimbledon, and back then, her season looked very shaky.
Fast forward to now, it looks amazing with three trophies, one of which is the US Open . It all started in Washington, where Brad Gilbert joined her team. He was hired to provide an experienced voice for Gauff and her new coach, Pere Riba, who hasn't coached a lot.
The team clicked really well, and she played amazing tennis winning Washington, Cincinnati, and finally the US Open. There was some partying going on after the win in New York, which Gilbert shared in a recent interview with TMZ.
Brad Gilbert has seen a fair share of Grand Slam champions in his time, but even he was amazed by the turnaround Gauff managed to do in such a short time. She lost early at Wimbledon, and back then, her season looked very shaky.
Fast forward to now, it looks amazing with three trophies, one of which is the US Open . It all started in Washington, where Brad Gilbert joined her team. He was hired to provide an experienced voice for Gauff and her new coach, Pere Riba, who hasn't coached a lot.
The team clicked really well, and she played amazing tennis winning Washington, Cincinnati, and finally the US Open. There was some partying going on after the win in New York, which Gilbert shared in a recent interview with TMZ.
- 9/17/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff plans to work on her forehand in the off-season, but coach Brad Gilbert doesn't see any reason for it.
Brad Gilbert has a long history in tennis, having worked with some amazing tennis players in his career. He coached Andre Agassi and worked with Andy Murray as well. Coco Gauff recently hired the American to provide advice to her and her relatively young coach, Pere Riba.
All of them clicked pretty quickly and have been on the same page in the past several weeks, which resulted in three trophies for the teenager, including the US Open . Before that, there were some questions about her game, especially around the forehand, which she planned to work on .
Gilbert thought it's sure that it was really needed after observing her play for the past few weeks. You can't just fix a forehand overnight which is part of the reason why he's...
Brad Gilbert has a long history in tennis, having worked with some amazing tennis players in his career. He coached Andre Agassi and worked with Andy Murray as well. Coco Gauff recently hired the American to provide advice to her and her relatively young coach, Pere Riba.
All of them clicked pretty quickly and have been on the same page in the past several weeks, which resulted in three trophies for the teenager, including the US Open . Before that, there were some questions about her game, especially around the forehand, which she planned to work on .
Gilbert thought it's sure that it was really needed after observing her play for the past few weeks. You can't just fix a forehand overnight which is part of the reason why he's...
- 9/15/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Marion Bartoli recognised Coco Gauff 's ability to keep her composure and show so much maturity for someone still young after Gauff won her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open .
Perhaps Gauff escaping through a challenging first round against Laura Siegemund very much set the tone for the rest of the event. Emma Raducanu had won the 2021 US Open title, where it felt like everything had fallen into place and moved so smoothly.
However, this was contrasting in the way that it felt like Gauff really needed to earn most of her matches and sometimes come through without playing her best tennis. That was the case in the final win against Aryna Sabalenka, too .
Marion Bartoli was watching courtside during the entire tournament and she talked through the shortcomings of the first set before Gauff eventually bounced back.
"That bounce back for me was most impressive. Bouncing back...
Perhaps Gauff escaping through a challenging first round against Laura Siegemund very much set the tone for the rest of the event. Emma Raducanu had won the 2021 US Open title, where it felt like everything had fallen into place and moved so smoothly.
However, this was contrasting in the way that it felt like Gauff really needed to earn most of her matches and sometimes come through without playing her best tennis. That was the case in the final win against Aryna Sabalenka, too .
Marion Bartoli was watching courtside during the entire tournament and she talked through the shortcomings of the first set before Gauff eventually bounced back.
"That bounce back for me was most impressive. Bouncing back...
- 9/11/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff battled Caroline Wozniacki in the 4th round of the US Open , and it was a much closer match than anybody anticipated.
The fact that Wozniacki troubled Gauff shouldn't have been surprising to many people, yet it seemingly was. Gauff has been spectacular recently, but she's still quite a bit behind Wozniacki in terms of experience .
The Dane actually held an early break in the final set, but it proved a false alarm. Gauff went on to win six games in a row and finish off the match in stellar fashion to book a quarter-final. There was tension , though; it looked smooth, but it was far from smooth, as the American showed some indecisiveness at times.
After the match, Gauff admitted that she disregarded the advice of Brad Gilbert, who was telling her to play longer points. She opted to keep the rallies short and continue to play the aggressive style,...
The fact that Wozniacki troubled Gauff shouldn't have been surprising to many people, yet it seemingly was. Gauff has been spectacular recently, but she's still quite a bit behind Wozniacki in terms of experience .
The Dane actually held an early break in the final set, but it proved a false alarm. Gauff went on to win six games in a row and finish off the match in stellar fashion to book a quarter-final. There was tension , though; it looked smooth, but it was far from smooth, as the American showed some indecisiveness at times.
After the match, Gauff admitted that she disregarded the advice of Brad Gilbert, who was telling her to play longer points. She opted to keep the rallies short and continue to play the aggressive style,...
- 9/4/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff had to deal with a lot of emotions during her fourth-round match at the 2023 US Open against Caroline Wozniacki.
Taking the Wta 's former world no. 1 is never easy, and the 19-year-old certainly knew it before she stepped onto the court against Wozniacki. Eventually, Gauff was able to beat the experienced Dane in three sets , but it wasn't without a small slump in the second set.
During the second set, the American's patience boiled over, as she couldn't execute the game plan properly, and precise Wozniacki broke her serve in the eighth game of the set, taking a 5-3 lead, and eventually wrapping up the set, 6-3.
It was when she lost her serve and gave the Dane a chance to serve for the set that things seemingly boiled over for Gauff. Listening to constant advice from her team, which includes experienced Brad Gilbert and soft-spoken Pere Riba...
Taking the Wta 's former world no. 1 is never easy, and the 19-year-old certainly knew it before she stepped onto the court against Wozniacki. Eventually, Gauff was able to beat the experienced Dane in three sets , but it wasn't without a small slump in the second set.
During the second set, the American's patience boiled over, as she couldn't execute the game plan properly, and precise Wozniacki broke her serve in the eighth game of the set, taking a 5-3 lead, and eventually wrapping up the set, 6-3.
It was when she lost her serve and gave the Dane a chance to serve for the set that things seemingly boiled over for Gauff. Listening to constant advice from her team, which includes experienced Brad Gilbert and soft-spoken Pere Riba...
- 9/4/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Josh O’Connor became a beast while filming Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers.” The sexually-charged drama centered in the world of professional tennis stars O’Connor and Mike Faist as Zendaya’s two love interests over the course of a decade.
Faist told GQ that O’Connor was dedicated to physically transforming into the role of a tennis pro. “I watched this guy probably put on close to 10 pounds over the course of the weeks we were working,” Faist said. “He physically transformed. He’s a craftsman, and knew exactly what was required of him in the moment.”
The cast spent two to three hours playing tennis six days a week for three months with former professional tennis player Brad Gilbert, who served as a consultant on the film. The cast then spent an additional two hours at the gym daily post-practice and before rehearsals.
“If left to my own devices, I...
Faist told GQ that O’Connor was dedicated to physically transforming into the role of a tennis pro. “I watched this guy probably put on close to 10 pounds over the course of the weeks we were working,” Faist said. “He physically transformed. He’s a craftsman, and knew exactly what was required of him in the moment.”
The cast spent two to three hours playing tennis six days a week for three months with former professional tennis player Brad Gilbert, who served as a consultant on the film. The cast then spent an additional two hours at the gym daily post-practice and before rehearsals.
“If left to my own devices, I...
- 9/3/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Coco Gauff has taken the tennis world by storm at this year's US swing and it is looking increasingly likely that she might fulfill her teenage potential at the 2023 US Open .
Gauff is the talk of the town . Her remarkable summer has seen the 19-year-old bag two of the biggest titles on offer ahead of the US Open. The addition of Brad Gilbert was seen as the missing piece of the jigsaw that needed to unlock Gauff from potential elite to become actual elite.
Gilbert has received outpouring praise for what tennis fans deemed miraculous counseling behind the scenes. Gilbert brings on board a wealth of experience at the top level having coached tennis Hall of Famers and former No. 1s.
But the handwork from Gauff's right-hand man Pere Riba has slightly gone unnoticed. Riba, also a very new addition brought by Corey Gauff (Coco's father), described how he got...
Gauff is the talk of the town . Her remarkable summer has seen the 19-year-old bag two of the biggest titles on offer ahead of the US Open. The addition of Brad Gilbert was seen as the missing piece of the jigsaw that needed to unlock Gauff from potential elite to become actual elite.
Gilbert has received outpouring praise for what tennis fans deemed miraculous counseling behind the scenes. Gilbert brings on board a wealth of experience at the top level having coached tennis Hall of Famers and former No. 1s.
But the handwork from Gauff's right-hand man Pere Riba has slightly gone unnoticed. Riba, also a very new addition brought by Corey Gauff (Coco's father), described how he got...
- 9/3/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Novak Djokovic heaped lots of praise on Coco Gauff as she continues her quest for a maiden Grand Slam title.
Coco Gauff has made such progress in a short space of time. This time last year she had broken into the World's Top 10 for the first time, and she has stayed there since. But now it feels like she is finally turning into a player that can not only go far in events, but, this time, compete for those big trophies.
Gauff crashed out of Wimbledon in the first round to compatriot Sofia Kenin , and that left a lot more questions than answers. But after going on a run of eleven wins out of twelve, sealing her biggest title in Washington before backing it up with an even bigger title in Cincinnati, it feels like she is the form of her career at the moment.
One watchful spectator in the...
Coco Gauff has made such progress in a short space of time. This time last year she had broken into the World's Top 10 for the first time, and she has stayed there since. But now it feels like she is finally turning into a player that can not only go far in events, but, this time, compete for those big trophies.
Gauff crashed out of Wimbledon in the first round to compatriot Sofia Kenin , and that left a lot more questions than answers. But after going on a run of eleven wins out of twelve, sealing her biggest title in Washington before backing it up with an even bigger title in Cincinnati, it feels like she is the form of her career at the moment.
One watchful spectator in the...
- 9/1/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Brad Gilbert took to X to express his surprise at the number of times Laura Siegemund ran down the match clock between points against Coco Gauff at the 2023 US Open .
Gilbert, who joined Coco Gauff's coaching team during the US swing , was courtside along with Pere Riba. He was in disbelief at how the German qualifier was left unpunished by the chair umpire in the early part of the match for 'purposely' wasting time between points.
Gilbert could not fathom Siegemund running down the serve clock to 15 seconds after 'a three-ball rally'. He admitted on X that it isn't his way of practice to vent after a match and call out opponents, but he was unhappy with Siegemund's conduct. The celebrated American coach feels the German should have been penalized a lot sooner.
"I don’t like to vent too often. I was so surprised that umpire would not call...
Gilbert, who joined Coco Gauff's coaching team during the US swing , was courtside along with Pere Riba. He was in disbelief at how the German qualifier was left unpunished by the chair umpire in the early part of the match for 'purposely' wasting time between points.
Gilbert could not fathom Siegemund running down the serve clock to 15 seconds after 'a three-ball rally'. He admitted on X that it isn't his way of practice to vent after a match and call out opponents, but he was unhappy with Siegemund's conduct. The celebrated American coach feels the German should have been penalized a lot sooner.
"I don’t like to vent too often. I was so surprised that umpire would not call...
- 8/30/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
ESPN's coverage of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis championships kicks off on August 28, marking the cable network’s ninth year as the exclusive TV home of the Open. While professional tennis remains a comparatively niche sport in the U.S. when compared to the likes of pro-football or pro-basketball, it is a niche that is rife with fascinating personalities, grudges, conflicts of interest, and figures who are revered and others who elicit eye-rolls. That holds true for both the active players on the tour as well as those in the press booth. Hardcore tennis fans are familiar with these personalities and get a whole other level of enjoyment out of watching the matches as they call out the commentators' well-known biases, groan at the Brad Gilbert nicknames, and giggle as Pam Shriver's antics drive everyone else to distraction.
- 8/28/2023
- by Joe Reid
- Primetimer
Former Atp No. 1 Mats Wilander gave a fascinating insight into the influence that celebrated American coach Brad Gilbert has had on Coco Gauff 's explosive form during the US swing.
After losing her first-round match at this year's Wimbledon , Gauff was under massive pressure to ditch her parents' advice in favor of outside counsel as part of her coaching team. At the start of the US swing, that certainly to be the case, where Gauff called on the services of Gilbert , who has previously coached some of tennis' iconic names.
In addition to her full-time coach Pere Riba, whom Gauff appointed earlier in June to replace Diego Moyano, Gilbert was sought after by the 19-year-old on a trial basis, and the impact has been instantaneous. Gauff won the two biggest titles of her career this month, including a Wta 1000 in Cincinnati .
The young American won 11 of her 12 matches across three...
After losing her first-round match at this year's Wimbledon , Gauff was under massive pressure to ditch her parents' advice in favor of outside counsel as part of her coaching team. At the start of the US swing, that certainly to be the case, where Gauff called on the services of Gilbert , who has previously coached some of tennis' iconic names.
In addition to her full-time coach Pere Riba, whom Gauff appointed earlier in June to replace Diego Moyano, Gilbert was sought after by the 19-year-old on a trial basis, and the impact has been instantaneous. Gauff won the two biggest titles of her career this month, including a Wta 1000 in Cincinnati .
The young American won 11 of her 12 matches across three...
- 8/27/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff joked at the US Open media day with Frances Tiafoe about his serve, claiming that she can hit faster serves than he can.
Gauff has had a funny relationship with her serve as it was, at times, both her biggest weapon and most significant weakness. It used to complicate matches greatly for her, but lately, there seemed to be no problem in her game, as she dominated the Wta Tour over the past few weeks.
She joked about her serve at the US Open media day recently, explaining that she has doubts about fulfilling the request of coach Brad Gilbert. He wants her to hit 130 mph, something she thinks may not be possible. Tiafoe was present on the court during the media day, and Gauff quickly used the chance for some quick banter, claiming her serve was faster than his.
Look at his serve, it sucks.
Gauff banters...
Gauff has had a funny relationship with her serve as it was, at times, both her biggest weapon and most significant weakness. It used to complicate matches greatly for her, but lately, there seemed to be no problem in her game, as she dominated the Wta Tour over the past few weeks.
She joked about her serve at the US Open media day recently, explaining that she has doubts about fulfilling the request of coach Brad Gilbert. He wants her to hit 130 mph, something she thinks may not be possible. Tiafoe was present on the court during the media day, and Gauff quickly used the chance for some quick banter, claiming her serve was faster than his.
Look at his serve, it sucks.
Gauff banters...
- 8/27/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Carlos Alcaraz 's list of major achievements in tennis has grown rapidly over the past year, but the world number one's physical growth also caught the eye of former coach Brad Gilbert.
Alcaraz was back in action at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters recently, and he almost went all the way at the Atp 1000 event. The Spanish player raced to the final before losing a hard-fought encounter against world number two Novak Djokovic , who edged Alcaraz across three sets.
It was another big match for the 20-year-old who continues to showcase his elite-level talent on the biggest stages in tennis. While the young Spanish star is growing in tactical and technical maturity, Andre Agassi's former coach Gilbert, who met with Alcaraz in Cincinnati, took to social media to share his shock at how quickly the 20-year-old has grown physically.
"Had a nice conversation today with escape from Alcaraz and the mosquito Jcf,...
Alcaraz was back in action at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters recently, and he almost went all the way at the Atp 1000 event. The Spanish player raced to the final before losing a hard-fought encounter against world number two Novak Djokovic , who edged Alcaraz across three sets.
It was another big match for the 20-year-old who continues to showcase his elite-level talent on the biggest stages in tennis. While the young Spanish star is growing in tactical and technical maturity, Andre Agassi's former coach Gilbert, who met with Alcaraz in Cincinnati, took to social media to share his shock at how quickly the 20-year-old has grown physically.
"Had a nice conversation today with escape from Alcaraz and the mosquito Jcf,...
- 8/23/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff 's remarkable hard-court summer continued last Sunday as she became the youngest champion in Cincinnati history.
Since she burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old at 2019 Wimbledon, Gauff was touted as the next big thing in tennis, drawing comparisons to her childhood idol Serena Williams who broke through at only 17 by winning her first of 23 Grand Slam singles titles at the 1999 US Open.
Gauff didn't quite hit those dizzying heights from the get-go nor did her career take off almost instantly towards superstardom, but she has never been closer to fulfilling her teenage promise. Having won three Wta titles, all at 250 level before this month, she came full circle in recent weeks, winning her first Wta 500 in Washington, and on Sunday, her first Wta 1000 at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters .
Gauff has had to deal with the baggage of hype throughout her career and encountered many obstacles along the way.
Since she burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old at 2019 Wimbledon, Gauff was touted as the next big thing in tennis, drawing comparisons to her childhood idol Serena Williams who broke through at only 17 by winning her first of 23 Grand Slam singles titles at the 1999 US Open.
Gauff didn't quite hit those dizzying heights from the get-go nor did her career take off almost instantly towards superstardom, but she has never been closer to fulfilling her teenage promise. Having won three Wta titles, all at 250 level before this month, she came full circle in recent weeks, winning her first Wta 500 in Washington, and on Sunday, her first Wta 1000 at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters .
Gauff has had to deal with the baggage of hype throughout her career and encountered many obstacles along the way.
- 8/23/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff kicks off her 50th week in a row ranked in the world's Top 10 after solidifying her spot there with a maiden Wta 1000 title in Cincinnati.
Gauff broke the Wta Top 10 for the first time last summer when she produced her career-best run at her home Slam, reaching the last eight at the 2022 US Open before bowing out at the hands of Caroline Garcia. But she hasn't left the Wta's elite band, staying there for precisely a year.
This week, she begins her 50th week there after a stellar hard-court summer saw her clinch the two biggest titles of her fledlging career , first at the Wta 500 in Washington and the Wta 1000 at the Western & Southern Open where she upset top seed Iga Swiatek en route to the final .
Alot had transpired in teh aftermath of her shock, meek exit in the first round of Wimbledon to Sofia Kenin.
Gauff broke the Wta Top 10 for the first time last summer when she produced her career-best run at her home Slam, reaching the last eight at the 2022 US Open before bowing out at the hands of Caroline Garcia. But she hasn't left the Wta's elite band, staying there for precisely a year.
This week, she begins her 50th week there after a stellar hard-court summer saw her clinch the two biggest titles of her fledlging career , first at the Wta 500 in Washington and the Wta 1000 at the Western & Southern Open where she upset top seed Iga Swiatek en route to the final .
Alot had transpired in teh aftermath of her shock, meek exit in the first round of Wimbledon to Sofia Kenin.
- 8/22/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Former Wta pro Rennae Stubbs believes Novak Djokovic 's serve on match point in the Cincinnati Masters final clipped the net cord, and was bemused that the net sensors didn't pick it up.
Stubbs was watching the epic Cincinnati final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz that sent the tennis world into a frenzy on Sunday night. The world's top two players battled it out for close to four hours before Djokovic prevailed 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 to win and take away his third Western & Southern Open title .
Stubbs couldn't help but hear Djokovic's second serve on his fifth match point clip the top part of the net before it eventually landed in, and Alcaraz planted it out of the court on his return. Not to take any gloss away from Djokovic's remarkable win, Stubbs believes Alcaraz's reaction a possible let sound back up her claim.
"Unbelievable match! Unbelievable but I...
Stubbs was watching the epic Cincinnati final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz that sent the tennis world into a frenzy on Sunday night. The world's top two players battled it out for close to four hours before Djokovic prevailed 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 to win and take away his third Western & Southern Open title .
Stubbs couldn't help but hear Djokovic's second serve on his fifth match point clip the top part of the net before it eventually landed in, and Alcaraz planted it out of the court on his return. Not to take any gloss away from Djokovic's remarkable win, Stubbs believes Alcaraz's reaction a possible let sound back up her claim.
"Unbelievable match! Unbelievable but I...
- 8/21/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff played her first Wta 1000 singles final, which was a victory for the American as she defeated Karolina Muchova 6-3 6-4 at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters .
Coco Gauff was favoured ahead of this match for various reasons, some of which we touched upon in our preview of the final. It's been that kind of week for Gauff and, more broadly, that kind of month. From winning the Citi Open trophy in Washington to cruising through the Montreal rounds, Gauff looks like a new player.
Is it the Brad Gilbert effect , or is it simply Gauff figuring things out during a crucial part of the year? She's played well during this part of the season before. Last year at the US Open, Gauff looked incredible until she ran into Caroline Garcia. It's a similar story this year, but she's actually beating those top players, as the win over Iga Swiatek demonstrated...
Coco Gauff was favoured ahead of this match for various reasons, some of which we touched upon in our preview of the final. It's been that kind of week for Gauff and, more broadly, that kind of month. From winning the Citi Open trophy in Washington to cruising through the Montreal rounds, Gauff looks like a new player.
Is it the Brad Gilbert effect , or is it simply Gauff figuring things out during a crucial part of the year? She's played well during this part of the season before. Last year at the US Open, Gauff looked incredible until she ran into Caroline Garcia. It's a similar story this year, but she's actually beating those top players, as the win over Iga Swiatek demonstrated...
- 8/20/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff just recently won her biggest trophy ever ( Wta 500), and now she'll try to surpass that achievement by beating Karolina Muchova in the Cincinnati Masters final.
It really feels like the breakout of Coco Gauff, doesn't it? It's a funny thing to say because which breakout is it? It certainly isn't the first, which would be Wimbledon many years ago. It's not the Grand Slam one because that happened last year at Roland Garros? So which is it? It's the champion breakout.
Gauff has played in a lot of big matches but hasn't really won much, at least not in singles. In the doubles, the American has three Wta 1000 trophies, and five finals overall, but today will be her first singles one. The opponent is a tough one, one that's enjoying her best season ever.
Karolina Muchova is a player you don't want to play - ever. She has...
It really feels like the breakout of Coco Gauff, doesn't it? It's a funny thing to say because which breakout is it? It certainly isn't the first, which would be Wimbledon many years ago. It's not the Grand Slam one because that happened last year at Roland Garros? So which is it? It's the champion breakout.
Gauff has played in a lot of big matches but hasn't really won much, at least not in singles. In the doubles, the American has three Wta 1000 trophies, and five finals overall, but today will be her first singles one. The opponent is a tough one, one that's enjoying her best season ever.
Karolina Muchova is a player you don't want to play - ever. She has...
- 8/20/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff has been working with Brad Gilbert recently, and it's worked out pretty well so far, with a Wta trophy won already.
Coco Gauff hired a new coach recently, and while Pere Riba is staying on board, she also added Brad Gilbert as a consultant. The American has a long history in tennis, coaching some of the best players that ever held a racquet.
The partnership was initially described as temporary, but after a title run in Washington, Gauff concluded that it would continue through the US Open . Gilbert has been present at events sitting next to her coach Riba as they formed a formidable team.
She's been one of the better players in recent weeks, winning a trophy in Washington, going deep in Montreal, and doing the same things week in Cincinnati. In a recent interview with Tennis Channel at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters , Gauff explained just what the...
Coco Gauff hired a new coach recently, and while Pere Riba is staying on board, she also added Brad Gilbert as a consultant. The American has a long history in tennis, coaching some of the best players that ever held a racquet.
The partnership was initially described as temporary, but after a title run in Washington, Gauff concluded that it would continue through the US Open . Gilbert has been present at events sitting next to her coach Riba as they formed a formidable team.
She's been one of the better players in recent weeks, winning a trophy in Washington, going deep in Montreal, and doing the same things week in Cincinnati. In a recent interview with Tennis Channel at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters , Gauff explained just what the...
- 8/19/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Coco Gauff was looking unstoppable, but she was stopped in Montreal by doubles partner Jessica Pegula in a tight 3-setter.
This was a very interesting matchup between two players that know each other well. They practice together, they play doubles together and there is very little secrecy between them. Even so, the start of the quarterfinal match at the 2023 Canadian Open looked as if Pegula knew everything about Gauff, but the younger American didn't know much about her opponent.
The youngster had no solution for Pegula, losing her serve quickly in the opening game and it all spiraled from there. She found a rhythm towards the end of the set, but losing it 2-6 certainly didn't mean that she didn't do a lot of great things in it.
Gauff made an effort to play more attacking tennis recently and with the inclusion of Brad Gilbert , it looked really great in...
This was a very interesting matchup between two players that know each other well. They practice together, they play doubles together and there is very little secrecy between them. Even so, the start of the quarterfinal match at the 2023 Canadian Open looked as if Pegula knew everything about Gauff, but the younger American didn't know much about her opponent.
The youngster had no solution for Pegula, losing her serve quickly in the opening game and it all spiraled from there. She found a rhythm towards the end of the set, but losing it 2-6 certainly didn't mean that she didn't do a lot of great things in it.
Gauff made an effort to play more attacking tennis recently and with the inclusion of Brad Gilbert , it looked really great in...
- 8/11/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
Fourth seed Jessica Pegula will face fellow American and sixth seed Coco Gauff in the quarterfinal of the 2023 Canadian Open in Montreal on Friday, August 11, 2023.
We didn't get this matchup last week in Washington following Pegula's shock defeat to Maria Sakkari . But the projections have worked out perfectly in Canada where the world number three has eased into the last eight without dropping a set.
Pegula couldn't have asked for a better draw to start things off here. She had a bye in the first round and then faced lucky loser Yulia Putintseva in her opening match, winning that one 6-4, 6-4. Her third-round match was a stroll for the most part, cruising past Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-0.
Gauff is the most in-form player at the start of the North American hard-court swing. She brings an eight-match win streak on Friday following her title success at the Citi Open last weekend.
We didn't get this matchup last week in Washington following Pegula's shock defeat to Maria Sakkari . But the projections have worked out perfectly in Canada where the world number three has eased into the last eight without dropping a set.
Pegula couldn't have asked for a better draw to start things off here. She had a bye in the first round and then faced lucky loser Yulia Putintseva in her opening match, winning that one 6-4, 6-4. Her third-round match was a stroll for the most part, cruising past Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-0.
Gauff is the most in-form player at the start of the North American hard-court swing. She brings an eight-match win streak on Friday following her title success at the Citi Open last weekend.
- 8/11/2023
- Tennis-Infinity
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