Pere RibaThe former pro, ranked 65th in the ATP rankings, scored the victory from the bench alongside Coco Gauff. The Barcelona coach spoke to Marca in New York to talk about his student and the changes that led to her wins in Washington and Cincinnati and a run to the semi-finals of the US Open.
ask. You left him at Roland Garros to work with Zheng Qinwen, and two weeks later you were already working with Goff.
answer. Zheng’s matter has been agreed, so I will take a vacation. Some players and players were interested and I told them I didn’t want to know anything after Wimbledon. But here comes Coco, and I’m motivated by the project. We tried for two weeks at Eastbourne and Wimbledon to see if there was a link and it continued until the end of the season.
Q: Have you guys talked about extending your relationship?
R. The deal runs until the last game in 2023, then we’ll sit down. I know they are happy with me now.
Q: You speak English very well, but do language issues sometimes become a problem?
R. We know each other well because I can defend myself in English, although I really don’t have the American expressions. I feel like I can convey to you what I really want to tell you.
Q: You had a lot of experience off the bench before you got to Goff.
R. I stopped playing at 30 and I’m 36 now. I trained Cabales and Pedro Martinez from the ATP Tour, and Varvara Lepchenko, Zheng and now Coco from the WTA.
Q: Do you think that cooperation with the Zheng family in China is the key to Goff and his entourage’s attention to you?
R. His dad admitted to me that he had seen me work for two years, and he liked the way I saw tennis.
She’s always thinking about how to improve, that’s why she’s so good. “
Q: What changes did you make to the game?
R.. I sat down with his dad and we had a good idea of what needs to be improved. All by creating better space with the forehand, having a plan B, being able to reduce from farther back, increasing the height of the forehand…his grip allows him to do that, being more aggressive on the first serve sex…….
Q: Do you like when people tell you about your mistakes?
R. She is a very perfectionist. When told to watch the video, he did. The good thing about Coco is that she’s always looking to improve, she’s hungry, that’s why she’s so good. I plan all the training and she knows what we’re going to do ahead of time so she’s in the clear. Yes, obviously, it’s a machine. Q: Is Coco aware that people often compare her to Serena Williams?
R. Yes, she does, because a lot of people talk to her about it. But she has taken a step forward, she has her own way, and she is happy with her every day. His head is very well decorated.
Q: When you go to the dance floor, what type of music do you listen to?
R. He likes to rap, especially he listens to Drake a lot.
Q. How does Coco respond to environmental pressure?
R. I think she handled it well because she was used to having to win from a young age.
She grew up used to having to win. “
Q: Coco is 19 years old this year. What do you like to do when you don’t dress like a pro tennis player?
R. Like all young girls, she loves meeting people. But she is very mature and everything is clear when making decisions.
Q: Do you get stopped a lot in New York?
R. Yes, people stop her, but she always puts on a good face. She is very respectful and professional. I’m amazed how it is.