Nick Kyrgios wants back into the game, but in a different way than one might think.
The former 2022 Wimbledon finalist turned tennis broadcaster may be in pursuit of a new gig as Coco Gauffâs coach.
Kyrgios offered his services to the 2023 U.S. Open champion after she lost in the fourth round to fellow American Emma Navarro 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, missing the quarterfinals again at Navarroâs hands as she did at Wimbledon.
Kyrgios became known for his bad boy antics while on the court, including swearing at officials, spitting at fans and making obscene gestures at times. But he did get as high as No. 11 in the world as recently as 2022.
Kyrgiosâ offer also comes at a time when Gauffâs current coach, Brad Gilbert, is taking intense criticism for their continued partnership after another early Grand Slam exit.
Although Gilbert has taught Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi in the past, fans have urged the young American to break it off with her coach.
âMy honest advice to @CocoGauff is to sack @bgtennisnation He became Gauff head coach in November 2023 and her game has regressed since then. Brad loves himself more than anyone else and that doesnât work if you are a Head Coach,â a tennis blogger posted to X.
To the same post, a fan commented Kyrgios should partner up with her, to which he replied, âIâd coach her.â
Even the former coach of 23-time grand slam winner Serena Williams, Rennae Stubbs, chimed in on Gauffâs âbadâ technique in front of Gilbert in an ESPN conversation.
âWhere is Cocoâs confidence?â Stubbs questioned, per Sportskeeda. âThereâs no second serve, thatâs the sign. And thatâs a problem.â
âSo under pressure, bad technique breaks down and her technique isâŚhard for me to say because Brad [Gilbert] is sitting hereâŚbut her technique, the elbow, is too low, the grip is a little weird as well,â she continued. âSo itâs hard for her to get that nice first serve and then the same or similar second serve.â
Gauff, 20, didnât play well in the hard court tournaments leading up to the Open nor was there much improvement in Flushing, as she continuously struggled with her service game.
During the fourth round match, Gauffâs frustration showed and she continuously looked up at her box, saying âTell me something!â
Against Navarro, she committed 60 unforced errors and had 19 double faults.