Former Coco Gauff coach makes bold call for ATP and WTA Finals to honor sporting legends amid year-end events – EssentiallySports

Coco Gauff makes a splash at the 2024 WTA Finals! Currently ranked third, she began her campaign in Riyadh with a decisive victory over Jessica Pegula, winning 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour. This victory puts her at the top of the Orange Group, which also includes Iga Svetek and Barbora Krejcikova. Gauff’s momentum comes after her win at the Wuhan Open and after her split with coach Brad Gilbert, who appears to be quite invested in the sport even after parting ways with a top player like Coco.

Gilbert had mixed reactions to the tradition of naming groups at the WTA and ATP Finals. He expressed his confusion about X by stating, “I don’t understand why the @atptour @WTA is naming the end-of-year championship groups by color.” He believes there could be a more meaningful approach to this, especially since they use colors like purple and orange in Saudi Arabia. He added that he was “it’s so much more than obvious to name the groups of former great players” instead.

Coco Gauff and Gilbert split in September after a successful but stormy partnership. Gilbert, known for coaching tennis legends such as Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick, has turned his attention to new projects. His recent comments about naming the color groups in tennis have sparked discussions. These discussions focus on the importance of this tradition in modern tennis.

While he raises a seemingly valid point, the color naming tradition has been around since 2003. The WTA and ATP Finals for the first time introduced live band names like Red and Green. This fun approach heightens the competition and makes it easier for fans to engage with the events. As a result, it creates memorable identities for each group.

In addition, Gilbert has voiced his opinion on the rules of tennis. He recently proposed changing ATP Tour rules to deal with situations where a top seed, such as Jannik Sinner, withdraws after the draw has begun.

Former coach issues statement on ATP withdrawal process

Sinner’s surprise withdrawal from the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters has caused quite a stir in the tennis world. The reigning world No. 1 pulled out due to a gastrointestinal virus just as he was set to begin his campaign as the top seed. After winning the Australian Open and US Open this year, Sinner decided to prioritize his health. Leaving fans and players surprised.

In response, Brad Gilbert shared a different perspective on how to handle these situations. He suggested that instead of letting the Lucky Loser fill the spot, the ATP should fill it with 9-16 seeds who haven’t played yet. Gilbert tweeted, “A tie change I’d definitely like to see on the @atptour when the top seeds withdraw, even after the draw has started, in this case Sin City allows LL to move into 2nd place,” His proposal aims to keep things fair and competitive, as he added, “I’d put #9-16 on this #1 who hasn’t played yet, better draw balance @SharkoTennis.”

Gilbert’s thoughts show his dedication to making tennis better. He believes these changes can help tournaments adapt to sudden draws without disrupting draw balance. What is your opinion on this situation? Let us know in the comments.