Coco Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, came to her defense following the American’s loss to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Miami Open final. Gauff battled through a challenging draw but ultimately fell 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, as Sabalenka kept her composure to clinch the rare Sunshine Double.
Brad Gilbert Lauds Aryna Sabalenka and Rejects Coco Gauff Criticism After Miami Open Final
Sabalenka looked set for a straightforward victory after breaking in the opening game and taking the first set 6-2. Gauff fought back in the second, fending off break points at 2-2 and 3-3 before converting a set point on Sabalenka’s serve to even the match.
The decider swung in Sabalenka’s favor after she earned a crucial break in the opening game. Dominating most of the third, the World No. 1 sealed the win on her first match point when Gauff’s backhand sailed wide.
The victory was historic, drawing attention from Gilbert, the former World No. 4 and tennis analyst. He praised Sabalenka’s performance, which secured her the Sunshine Double, winning both the BNP Paribas Open and the Miami Open in the same season.
Gilbert also expressed hope that a similar achievement might unfold on the men’s side if Jannik Sinner triumphed in his final.
“good 👍 effort from Sable toughing out Coco to complete the sunshine 🌞 double now if Sin City 🌆 wins tomorrow, will be double sunshine 🌞 double that is definitely 💯 a rarity,” he wrote on X.
good 👍 effort from Sable toughing out Coco to complete the sunshine 🌞 double now if Sin City 🌆 wins tomorrow, will be double sunshine 🌞 double that is definitely 💯 a rarity @SharkoTennis @Tennis
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) March 28, 2026
In a thread, a user suggested Gauff shift from a defensive to a more offensive game, urging her to step off the baseline and play more aggressively. Gilbert disagreed, writing:
“Defense can definitely 💯 win more opportunities in the women’s atm with that style.”
Defense can definitely 💯 win more opportunities in the women’s atm with that style
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) March 28, 2026
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Gauff’s impressive run in Miami followed an early exit at the WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells, where an arm injury forced her to withdraw. Despite that setback, she mounted a strong comeback in Miami, ultimately falling just short in the final.
With the win, Sabalenka not only extended her head-to-head advantage over Gauff to 7-6 but also successfully defended her Miami Open title. She became the fifth woman, and the first since Iga Świątek in 2022, to complete the Sunshine Double. The only other players to achieve the feat are Kim Clijsters, Steffi Graf, and Victoria Azarenka.
