Renowned tennis coach Brad Gilbert recently shared an intriguing insight into his coaching experience with both Zendaya and Coco Gauff. Gilbert, who guides the reigning US Open champion Gauff, also had the opportunity to work with Zendaya for the movie Challengers.
In a podcast with Andy Roddick, Gilbert revealed how his time training Zendaya actually prepared him for coaching Gauff. He expressed, “In some way, I told Z this last night, somehow she prepared me for Coco. That’s my seven degrees of separation.” Gilbert trained Zendaya for three months in California for the movie, developing a close bond with the Emmy-winning actress.
Gilbert emphasized the similarities between Zendaya and Gauff, stating, “Believe it or not, actors got a lot of the same DNA as tennis players. So I really think that working with Zendaya kind of really maybe, was impetus for good experience for working with Coco.”
Moreover, Gilbert took Zendaya to real tennis matches to give her a taste of the sport’s intensity and atmosphere. He believed it was essential for Zendaya to understand the real tennis world, especially during the filming of Challengers.
Brad Gilbert’s involvement in Zendaya’s training for the movie not only enhanced her performance but also provided him with valuable experience that he could apply to coaching Gauff. The unique connection between these two talented individuals highlights the diverse and interconnected world of sports and entertainment.