Coco Gauff announces shocking split with coach who guided her to US Open win

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Coco Gauff has announced that she is no longer working with coach Pere Riba. Gauff, 19, started working with former Spanish tennis player Riba during the grass season. In their short time together, Gauff and Riba enjoyed great success as the 19-year-old American became a Grand Slam champion at the US Open and also lifted her first WTA 1000 title in Cincinnati.

But after a strong summer on hard courts, Gauff arrived at the WTA Finals in Cancun without Riba in her box. After a 6-0 6-1 opening win over Ons Jabeur, Gauff announced that Riba was no longer a part of her team. "Unfortunately, it wasn't my decision.

But we had to end the partnership. If it was up to me, I would have loved to have him here. But you know, things happen. Life happens. So no bad terms on our end. Sometimes people think it's bigger than what it is. But some things just didn't work out and that's all.

I still think that he was a great guy. And obviously, he did amazing things for me personally and also for my game. So I'm sure he's going to be successful in his next step," Gauff said after her opening win in Cancun, via The Tennis Letter.

Coco Gauff on her split with Pere Riba:

“Unfortunately it wasn’t my decision, but we had to end the partnership. I had a great time with him & I wish him the best in this next chapter. If it was up to me, I would’ve loved to have him here.

But things happen, life happens. No bad… pic.twitter.com/cNj2L2NMzB — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 31, 2023

Riba and coach Brad Gilbert did outstanding work for Gauff in the summer

After a disappointing Wimbledon first-round loss, Gauff added Andre Agassi's former coach Gilbert to her team.

Coach Gilbert and Riba quickly developed chemistry and it resulted in Gauff enjoying an outstanding summer. But less than two months later, Gauff and Riba split. Gauff didn't reveal the exact reason for the Riba split but she highlighted that the Spanish coach did "amazing things" for her.

Meanwhile, Gauff's focus is on capping off her season with a maiden WTA Finals title. Gauff arrived at the WTA Finals as one of the top favorites for the title and her start backs up that claim.