“Where is Coco’s confidence?” Serena Williams‘ ex-coach, Rennae Stubbs, expressed her concern after Coco Gauff’s shocking 2024 US Open exit (during an ESPN interview where Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, was present). Moreover, after delivering an inconsistent performance throughout the year and winning only one title so far (ASB classic), Gauff fired her coach, Gilbert, a few weeks ago! This sent shockwaves through the tennis world with fans waiting with bated breath to see who would take Gilbert’s place. But it seems there’s a strong contender on that list!

Following Coco Gauff’s Flushing Meadows heartbreak, Stubbs has openly pointed out the glaring mistakes she displayed during her matchup with Emma Navarro during the fourth round in the US Open. One cannot overlook the 20-year-old’s 19 double faults and lacking form during that match and Stubbs could not either, as she added, “So under pressure, bad technique breaks down and her technique is… hard for me to say because Brad [Gilbert] is sitting here… but her technique, the elbow, is too low, the grip is a little weird as well.”

A few days later in The Rennae Stubbs Podcast Stubbs, she clarified she did not mean to demean Gilbert but was only doing her ‘job.’ But it seems Stubbs is not only ready to point out Gauff’s mistakes but is willing to lead her climb up the ladder of success once again. During The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, September 24th episode, she revealed if she would take up the role of her coach. 

Initially, she expressed how this decision depended on Coco Gauff’s agent, family, and Gauff herself. But when asked again if she would coach her if all those things were settled, Stubbs firmly said, “Of course, I would do it. Yeah. I mean, I wouldn’t say no to an opportunity to work with a great player, and there’s no way. Of course, I would do it, but that’s not a decision for me to make. And I love Coco. I think she’s an incredible kid.”

Further elaborating on their massive age gap, (which is why she called her a kid), the 53-year-old, who coached Williams during the 2022 US Open Stubbs added, “I respect the heck out of her, and she has only ever been an amazing person to be around.” Previously, many big names have come up in this regard, including Nick Kyrgios, and Naomi Osaka‘s former coach Sascha Bajin, both of whom have expressed the desired coach Gauff.

However, Gauff has not yet confirmed any news on this matter. Furthermore, as per another former player, Andy Roddick, Gauff might not even think of a replacement now!

Andy Roddick’s take on Coco Gauff’s coaching replacement

During a conversation on the Tennis Channel podcast, Andy Roddick, who has also received coaching under Brad Gilbert’s guidance during his career, opened up on the possible replacement of Gilbert. “I don’t think she would be in a rush to do anything because JC Farrell is in her corner and she’s comfortable there. I don’t think she’s going to be in a rush to fix it immediately,” said the 2003 US Open champion.

Earlier this year as Roddick mentioned, Gauff rehired Jean-Christophe Faurel and said, “I think I told him (Gilbert) to kind of take a step back, especially starting with J.C.”

After observing Gauff’s game since she was 10, Jean officially began his partnership with Gauff in 2019. However, with Gilbert’s departure from her team after 14 months during which he propelled her to a US Open victory (last year), a void in that place still remains. But will Stubbs take up that place, or will there be someone else? Only time will tell.