Coco Gauff’s Meticulous Coach’s ‘Winning Ugly’ Mentality Is a Thumping Proof of His Success Rate – ‘..I Was Studying for a History Test’

In any sport, there is only one way to success, recognition, and longevity – winning. Athletes often talk about sharpening their skills, working hard, and believing in themselves. The motive behind any action is to win, though some athletes have difficulty admitting it publicly. But Coco Gauff did not do that during her recent US Open run. After making it to the final in Flushing Meadows, Gauff quoted the legendary Kobe Bryant, saying, ‘Job’s not done yet’ to the Arthur Ashe crowd. The teenager did not shy away from admitting that she was there to win.

Isn’t winning the ultimate goal? If not, what is the purpose of playing in a competitive environment? Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert, taught her to win and how! But how did the former professional player teach himself how to win, and, most importantly, how did he teach winning? Was it ‘ugly’ or ‘pretty’?

Coco Gauff’s coach gets candid on ‘Winning Ugly’

The first thought that strikes the mind upon seeing the word ‘ugly’ is – wrong. But ugly can also mean using the opponent’s weakness to one’s advantage, laying bait for the opponent to make errors, misleading the opposite team with planned tactics, and getting into their head, if needed. In sports, everything is fair if a player does not violate any code.

Gilbert’s book, ‘Winning Ugly,’ dissects the truth behind the term ‘ugly’ as he introduces a new side to the misinterpreted word. Gauff’s coach defined, “In the most simplistic way, winning ugly is about figuring out how to win. In a lot of tennis lessons, you’re learning how to hit the ball a little better. But that’s not about competing.”

Andre Agassi’s former coach metaphorically explained, “Most recreational players watch a match like they’re looking at somebody play Nintendo at a video arcade.” But Gilbert studies the match rather than merely watching it. Gauff’s coach unveiled, “They just stare. I’d watch a match like I was studying for a history test.”

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Having said that, Gilbert does not undermine the importance of getting better. The legendary Andre Agassi’s coach’s ‘Winning Ugly’ attitude once became the nightmare of his compatriot and multiple Grand Slams winner, John McEnroe. From then, Gilbert became synonymous with the iconic phrase, which later became the title of his book.

The match against Gilbert almost prompted Johnny Mac to hang his racket

Gilbert wrote in his book, “You learn these things about what works well for you and what doesn’t, and then you put time into little areas of improvement.” The Olympic gold medalist implemented the same strategy in a match against McEnroe in 1985 at Madison Square Garden. Gilbert does not have a Slam, but he knows how to defeat a Slam champion and make several Grand Slam champions.

‘Superbrat’ McEnroe lost to Gauff’s coach in the latter’s fourth round of an ATP Masters. According to The Guardian, the 7-time Slam champion speculated on his loss and became furious. He hurled insults at the legendary coach, fuming that Gilbert did not deserve to be on the same court as him. During a changeover, John Mac even jeered at the former Top-5 player that he was ‘fu**ing worst.’

But Gauff’s coach won the match against the then ATP World No.2. It was his only win against McEnroe in their 14 encounters. After the defeat, McEnroe revealed that he contemplated retirement for a while as he could not digest losing to a player much below his rank. Though the Superbrat did not retire, Gilbert got into his head, and he won by implementing his own game and not just by displaying skill.

Seven years after his significant win, in 1993, Gauff’s coach published, ‘Winning Ugly.’ Gilbert later added several revisions, comprising all the wisdom he garnered from other elite players’ matches.

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