Maria Sharapova doesn’t appear to be concerned with Coco Gauff following her split with former coach Brad Gilbert.
The Russian icon enjoyed a similarly rapid rise to the top as Gauff, with both players winning Grand Slam titles as teenagers, and recent events mean they now have even more in common.
Sharapova was just 17 when she won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2004GETTY
Gauff announced her decision to part ways with Gilbert last week after a disappointing defence of the 2023 US Open title she had won as a 19-year-old, having spent 14 months working together.
Meanwhile Sharapova asked her father Yuri, who had been her coach throughout her career, to step back from his role following her third Grand Slam victory at the 2008 Australian Open, this coming when she was 20 years old.
As a result, there are few people more qualified to issue advice to the US sensation than the retired former star.
And the 37-year-old has now shared her thoughts on the high-profile split, and revealed she was not worried about the change to Gauff’s coaching team.
Speaking to US Weekly, Sharapova said: “I think Coco has an amazing head on her shoulders and knows that there will be changes in her team throughout the years.
“What you need at a certain point in your career is not what you need later in your career.
“I was very fortunate with the teams that I had. I still remain very close to all of my coaches. They’re such big team members and they carry so much weight. A team is really important.”
She then stressed the importance for Gauff in establishing a strong relationship with her new coach, who she is yet to announce.
Sharapova added: “It takes time to build trust and learn from [your team] and accept their advice. But it’s a fun journey.”
The five-time Grand Slam champion certainly draws on a wealth of experience when sharing her tips for Gauff.
Gauff captured her first Grand Slam title under Gilbert’s tutelage.Getty
Her 2023 US Open win remains the 20-year-old’s only Grand Slam titleGetty
Sharapova lifted three major titles as a teenager, becoming world number one aged 18, and later added the 2012 and 2014 French Open crowns to her collection to complete the career Slam.
Meanwhile, Gauff will be hoping to see her still fledgling career soar to similar heights as she begins a new era without Gilbert’s guidance.
Gilbert joined the American’s coaching team in July 2023 as a consultant alongside Pere Ribas after her father opted to take a step back from coaching her on a full-time basis.
And following Ribas’ departure from her box in November 2023, the 63-year-old, who counts Andy Murray and Andy Roddick among his former students, was then appointed to the role of coach.
During their time working together, Gauff not only landed her first ever Grand Slam title, but also reached the semi-finals of this year’s Australian Open and French Open.
She also achieved a career-high ranking of world no.2 in June, but back-to-back fourth-round exits at Wimbledon and the US Open would appear to have influenced the recent split.
Announcing the decision, Gauff wrote on X: “Thank you Brad Gilbert! We had an incredible run and I wish you all the best in the future!”
Meanwhile Gilbert penned a touching tribute to his former protégé , tweeting: “Thanks to Coco Gauff and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort.
“Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead. I’m excited for the next chapter in my coaching career.”
