Coco Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, was recently faced with a dilemma when asked to reveal his more lucrative career opportunity between coaching the American star and taking on the role of tennis consultant for Zendaya. Gilbert had worked closely with the Emmy Award-winning actress in 2022, helping her prepare for her role as a tennis prodigy in the film “Challengers.”
Gilbert then joined Gauff’s team in 2023 and coached her to her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open that same year, for which she earned $3 million in prize money. Reflecting on his experience, Gilbert once remarked that working with Zendaya had prepared him for working with Gauff, stating, “Art imitates life.”
Brad Gilbert Compares Payouts for Zendaya Film and Coaching Coco Gauff
During a recent episode of “The Big T” podcast, Gilbert shed light on his experience working with Zendaya, highlighting the challenge of training a complete beginner to convincingly portray a high-level tennis player.
“We started with Z in Malibu, you know, for about 3 months and then we had 3 months in Boston to get ready. But that one was trickier because they were supposed to be a high level. So when you’ve never played, it’s a lot easier if you’re supposed to just be like a 3.0. She’d never played before,” Gilbert said.
When tennis announcer Geoff Chizever pressed him on which role netted him more money, between winning the US Open with Coco Gauff or being a consultant for Zendaya, Gilbert chose to keep the financial details under wraps.
“What do you make more money? Being a consultant to Zendaya or winning the US Open with Coco Gauff?” Chizever asked.
“Or sitting here with us?” Nick Monroe chimed in.
“I plead the fifth,” Gilbert responded.
Gauff called it quits on her partnership with Gilbert after her title defense at the 2024 US Open ended in an unexpected fourth-round exit, capping an underwhelming stretch of results. However, there has been no ill will between the duo, as Gilbert has continued to champion the world No. 3 during her journey. He recently came to Gauff’s defense when she faced criticism for her playing style after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the Miami Open final.
MORE: Brad Gilbert Rejects Coco Gauff Criticism After Aryna Sabalenka’s Miami Open Triumph
Coco Gauff Turns Her Attention to the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart
Despite the loss, Gauff is drawing motivation from her run to the final in Miami and is aiming to make a similar breakthrough at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. During her pre-tournament press conference, the 22-year-old also emphasized that her primary focus remains on peaking at the French Open, which she will enter as the defending champion.
“Although I don’t typically do well in Stuttgart, it’s not a tournament I necessarily thrive at, hopefully this year can change. Miami was a tournament I didn’t thrive it, and I did well. I would love to do better here. The main thing I care about is Roland Garros and how I do there. That’s the main reason for the motivation of that,” Gauff said.
After receiving a bye in the first round, Gauff will square off against Liudmila Samsonova in her opening match at the WTA 500 event. If she wins, the American will face the winner of the match between Karolina Muchová and Elise Mertens in the quarterfinals.
