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Nick Kyrgios offers to coach Coco Gauff following Brad Gilbert backlash after early US Open exit

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Nick Kyrgios offers to coach Coco Gauff following Brad Gilbert backlash after early US Open exit

Nick Kyrgios wants back into the game, but in a different way than one might think.

The former 2022 Wimbledon finalist turned tennis broadcaster may be in pursuit of a new gig as Coco Gauff’s coach.

Kyrgios offered his services to the 2023 U.S. Open champion after she lost in the fourth round to fellow American Emma Navarro 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, missing the quarterfinals again at Navarro’s hands as she did at Wimbledon.

Kyrgios became known for his bad boy antics while on the court, including swearing at officials, spitting at fans and making obscene gestures at times. But he did get as high as No. 11 in the world as recently as 2022.

Kyrgios’ offer also comes at a time when Gauff’s current coach, Brad Gilbert, is taking intense criticism for their continued partnership after another early Grand Slam exit.

Coco Gauff of the USA reacts during her fourth-round match against Emma Navarro of the USA at the US Open Tennis Tournament Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Although Gilbert has taught Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi in the past, fans have urged the young American to break it off with her coach.

“My honest advice to @CocoGauff is to sack @bgtennisnation He became Gauff head coach in November 2023 and her game has regressed since then. Brad loves himself more than anyone else and that doesn’t work if you are a Head Coach,” a tennis blogger posted to X.

To the same post, a fan commented Kyrgios should partner up with her, to which he replied, “I’d coach her.”

Actor Leon Robinson and coach Brad Gilbert as Coco Gauff beats Elina Svitolina in their third-round match on Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2024 US Open Championship. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Kyrgios is seen doing an interview with Carlos Alcaraz after his match against Li Tu on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2024. Larry Marano

Even the former coach of 23-time grand slam winner Serena Williams, Rennae Stubbs, chimed in on Gauff’s “bad” technique in front of Gilbert in an ESPN conversation.

“Where is Coco’s confidence?” Stubbs questioned, per Sportskeeda. “There’s no second serve, that’s the sign. And that’s a problem.”

“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,” she continued. “So it’s hard for her to get that nice first serve and then the same or similar second serve.”

Coco Gauff of the USA returns a ball to Emma Navarro of the USA during their fourth-round match at the US Open Tennis Tournament Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Gauff, 20, didn’t play well in the hard court tournaments leading up to the Open nor was there much improvement in Flushing, as she continuously struggled with her service game.

During the fourth round match, Gauff’s frustration showed and she continuously looked up at her box, saying “Tell me something!”

Against Navarro, she committed 60 unforced errors and had 19 double faults.

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