Amid weather delays at the Italian Open, Coco Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, has lamented the amount of rain that has fallen in Rome over the last 10 days. Casper Ruud’s quarterfinal against Karen Khachanov on Wednesday was delayed by more than 2 hours.
Coco Gauff’s Former Coach Brad Gilbert Bemoans Weather Delay at Italian Open
Inclement weather at the 2026 Italian Open forced the quarterfinal clash between Ruud and Khachanov to be suspended due to rain. The match later resumed after a two-hour delay, with Ruud triumphing in three sets.
The rain came following Iga Świątek’s dominant 6-1, 6-2 win over Jessica Pegula. Gilbert, who coached Gauff from 2023 to 2024, shared his annoyance after the weather forced the Italian Open to be suspended for more than two hours.
The distinguished coach is hoping the rain stays away during the French Open, scheduled to get underway later this month.
“Sh**e weather this year in Rome. Don’t remember so many rain delays there before, Hopefully, not coming to Paris where they do get a lot of rain,” the former tennis player wrote on X on Wednesday.
shite weather this year in Rome don’t remember so many rain ☔️ delays there before, hopefully 🙏 not coming to Paris where they do get alot of rain ☔️
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) May 13, 2026
Rain affected the action at the Italian Open last week as well. It appears that the rain will stay away on Thursday, with the women’s singles semifinals and two men’s singles quarterfinals scheduled.
But Friday’s forecast shows the possibility of more rain in Rome, which could impact the men’s singles semifinals. The forecast shows that rain is expected to largely relent on Saturday and Sunday, when the singles and doubles finals are scheduled to take place.
Rain delays are also common at the French Open, and they often affect matches on the outer courts. Although the Court Philippe-Chatrier and Court Suzanne-Lenglen have retractable roofs to allow play to continue during rain.
In addition to the rain, players have also been affected by the wind at the Italian Open. World No. 2 Alexander Zverev was not a fan of the windy conditions at the BNP Paribas Arena as he was handed a shock defeat by Luciano Darderi in three sets on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Ruud is through to a fourth Italian Open semifinal following his 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 win over Khachanov. The Norwegian will face Rafael Jódar or Darderi in the last four, with the duo set to face off later on Wednesday.
The men’s singles quarterfinals will continue on Thursday, with Jannik Sinner taking on Andrey Rublev, and Daniil Medvedev going up against Martin Landaluce.
