Naomi Osaka's ex-coach 'ready' to coach Coco Gauff following American's split with Brad Gilbert: "They just need to call"

Naomi Osaka's former coach, Sascha Bajin, recently expressed his readiness to take on coaching duties for Coco Gauff. His comments followed the news of the American's split with her coach, Brad Gilbert.

On September 17, Gilbert revealed that he and Gauff had parted ways after more than a year of working together. He joined the young tennis star's team on July 2023, alongside Pere Riba.

The decision wasn't entirely surprising, given Gauff's recent dip in form, particularly during the North American hardcourt swing. Her struggles culminated in an early exit from the US Open, where she failed to defend her title, losing to Emma Navarro in the fourth round.

"Thanks to @CocoGauff and the entire team for an absolutely amazing summer run in 2023 and for 14 months of incredible team effort. Coco, at just 20 years young, your future is incredibly bright, and I wish you nothing but continued success ahead. I’m excited for the next chapter in my coaching career," Gilbert wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

With Coco Gauff's split with Brad Gilbert, speculation now centers on who she will choose as her next coach. While Jean-Cristophe Faurel continues to guide her, the World No. 6 has a track record of working with two coaches, raising curiosity about who might step in to complete her team moving forward.

Several names are being floated as potential candidates, with Naomi Osaka's former coach Sascha Bajin standing out. The German, who worked with Osaka from 2017 to 2019, played a key role in her success, guiding her to two Grand Slam wins at the US Open and Australian Open.

Bajin took to Instagram to comment on a reel discussing whom Gauff should hire next, in which his name was mentioned. He wrote:

"I'm ready. They just need to call."

Besides Osaka, Bajin has previously worked with Karolina Pliskova, Dayana Yastremska, and Kristina Mladenovic.

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Coco Gauff receives advice from Serena & Venus Williams' ex-coach Rick Macci amid coaching turmoil

Coco Gauff pictured at the 2024 US Open | Image Source: Getty

Serena and Venus Williams' childhood coach Rick Macci is another excellent candidate for Coco Gauff to consider hiring. He has consistently praised her talent and recently offered guidance on how she can overcome her shortcomings to reclaim her former glory.

"Coco is winner," Macci wrote on X. "She knows how to survive and understands the geometry of the court. She needs 100% biomechanical modifications to reprogram the reflexes. Has to be science based. The serve is an 360 degree Easy Fix as there is no running. Forehand has to be brand new ATP."

"Time is her Best Friend and her serve and forehand can become her two Best Friends if she takes the Time and addresses this correctly," he added.

Gauff's next stop is the WTA 1000 tournament in China, starting on September 25. She reached the semifinals in 2023 but fell to eventual champion Iga Swiatek, who will also compete this year as the top seed.