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Roddick sacks Gilbert
By Leo Schlink
December 13, 2004
ANDY Roddick has ended his 18-month partnership with coach Brad Gilbert.
The world No. 2 and US Open winner won 121 of 147 matches and nine titles under Gilbert, but has decided it is time for a change.
No reason has been given for the split, which comes just two weeks after Gilbert was strongly criticised by Mike Agassi, father of Andre Agassi, another former Gilbert charge.
Roddick sacked his previous coach Tarik Benhabiles after an opening-round loss to Armenian Sargis Sargsian at the French Open last year.
Gilbert, who parted from Agassi the previous season, immediately revived the young American's stocks with a typically heady game plan and improved concentration.
The author of the aptly titled Winning Ugly, Gilbert guided Roddick to the No. 1 mark last year and helped the 22-year-old to titles at Miami, Queen's Club, San Jose and Indianapolis this season.
Gilbert's departure will trigger a clamour for the unexpectedly vacant position, and Gilbert is unlikely to remain on the sidelines for long either.
Roddick had appeared unusually quiet during the US's 3-2 Davis Cup final defeat to Spain in Seville this month.
It is understood he was mulling over the decision.
Former world No. 1 Jim Courier's name has already been linked to Roddick.
Mike Agassi recently touched on Gilbert's gregarious nature.
"You can shut the Grand Canyon, but you can't shut Brad Gilbert's mouth," he said.
Herald Sun
By Leo Schlink
December 13, 2004
ANDY Roddick has ended his 18-month partnership with coach Brad Gilbert.
The world No. 2 and US Open winner won 121 of 147 matches and nine titles under Gilbert, but has decided it is time for a change.
No reason has been given for the split, which comes just two weeks after Gilbert was strongly criticised by Mike Agassi, father of Andre Agassi, another former Gilbert charge.
Roddick sacked his previous coach Tarik Benhabiles after an opening-round loss to Armenian Sargis Sargsian at the French Open last year.
Gilbert, who parted from Agassi the previous season, immediately revived the young American's stocks with a typically heady game plan and improved concentration.
The author of the aptly titled Winning Ugly, Gilbert guided Roddick to the No. 1 mark last year and helped the 22-year-old to titles at Miami, Queen's Club, San Jose and Indianapolis this season.
Gilbert's departure will trigger a clamour for the unexpectedly vacant position, and Gilbert is unlikely to remain on the sidelines for long either.
Roddick had appeared unusually quiet during the US's 3-2 Davis Cup final defeat to Spain in Seville this month.
It is understood he was mulling over the decision.
Former world No. 1 Jim Courier's name has already been linked to Roddick.
Mike Agassi recently touched on Gilbert's gregarious nature.
"You can shut the Grand Canyon, but you can't shut Brad Gilbert's mouth," he said.
Herald Sun