Coco Gauff ditches her coach

The life of a tennis coach can, unfortunately, be measured in weeks. A brief run of victories can create the impression of permanence, yet a few missteps are enough to dispel the illusion. Ina sport where every stroke is examined and every loss magnified, recency bias reigns. The past is never a shield.

- ANTHONY L. CUAYCONG

Coco Gauff’s decision to dismiss Matt Daly days before the start of the US Open tells a tale as old as time. The latter, a specialist in grip and technique, had joined her camp after her split with Brad Gilbert. His stint produced immediate results: podium finishes at the China Open and the WTA Finals, not to mention a second major championship at Roland Garros. Then the serve he had labored to strengthen collapsed under pressure; a first-round loss at Wimbledon and a rash of double faults shifted the conversation from progress to crisis. And just like that, the pairing ended.