Brad Gilbert
CountryUnited States
ResidenceMalibu, California, U.S.
Birth dateAugust 9, 1961 (age 65)
Birth placeOakland, California, U.S.
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Turnedpro1982
Retired1995
PlaysRight-handed (one-handed backhand)
CollegeFoothill College
Pepperdine University
CareerprizemoneyUS$5,507,973
Singlestitles20
HighestsinglesrankingNo. 4 (1 January 1990)
Australianopenresult4R (1984)
Frenchopenresult3R (1993)
WimbledonresultQF (1990)
UsopenresultQF (1987)
Othertournamentsyes
MasterscupresultSF (1987)
GrandslamcupresultF (1990)
WctfinalsresultF (1989)
OlympicsresultSF (1988)
Doublesrecord101–127
Doublestitles3
HighestdoublesrankingNo. 18 (29 September 1986)
Australianopendoublesresult2R (1987)
Frenchopendoublesresult2R (1987)
Wimbledondoublesresult2R (1986)
Usopendoublesresult2R (1988)
Frenchopenmixedresult1R (1980, 1994)
Updated11 September 2022
Medaltemplates-expandyes

Brad Gilbert (born August 9, 1961) is an American former professional tennis player, tennis coach, and tennis commentator and analyst for ESPN. During his career, he won 20 singles titles and achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 4 in 1990, and a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 18 four years prior. He won a bronze medal at the 1988 Olympics, and both a gold medal and a silver medal at the 1981 Maccabiah Games.

Since retiring from the professional tour, he has coached several top players, most notably Andre Agassi who won six of his eight Grand Slam titles under Gilbert's tutelage. Other players he has coached include Andy Roddick, Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori and Coco Gauff.

Early life

Brad Gilbert was born on August 9, 1961, to a Jewish family in Oakland, California.[1] Brad began playing tennis at age 4 after his father, Barry Gilbert (a history teacher and owner of a real estate firm), took up the sport.[2] Despite being undersized, Brad became the top player at Piedmont High School following in the footsteps of his older siblings, Barry Jr. and Dana, who each held the top spot on the high school's tennis team.[3]

Playing career

College

Gilbert played tennis for Foothill College, a junior college in Los Altos Hills, California, from 1980 to 1982, where he was coached by Tom Chivington. During this time, he won the California Junior College Singles Championship and the U.S. Amateur Hardcourt Championship. In 1981, Gilbert became a member of the American Junior Davis Cup team.

He competed for the US in the 1981 Maccabiah Games in Israel, losing in the men's singles finals to Israeli Shlomo Glickstein, but winning a gold medal in doubles with Jon Levine over fellow Americans Rick Meyer and Paul Bernstein.[4]

In 1982, he transferred to Pepperdine University, playing for Allen Fox. He became an All-American and reached the finals of the 1982 NCAA Championship, losing to Mike Leach of Michigan 7–5, 6–3.[5]

Professional

Gilbert joined the professional tour in 1982 and won his first top-level singles title later that year in Taipei. His first doubles title came at the 1985 Tel Aviv Open, with Ilie Năstase; he also won the singles championship.[6]

Gilbert won a total of 20 top-level singles titles during his career including 1986 Pacific Coast Invitational against Aaron Krickstein,[7] and the biggest being the Cincinnati Masters tournament in 1989. He was also runner-up in a further 20 singles events, including Cincinnati in 1990, where he lost to six-time Grand Slam champion Stefan Edberg, and the Paris Masters in 1987 and 1988.

Gilbert's most successful year on the tour was 1989, during which he won five singles titles, including Cincinnati, where he beat four future Hall of Famers to claim the title: Pete Sampras, Michael Chang, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg.

Gilbert's best performances at Grand Slam tournaments were in the Quarterfinals of the 1987 US Open, losing to Jimmy Connors and in the quarterfinals of the 1990 Wimbledon Championships, losing to Boris Becker. He was also runner-up at the inaugural Grand Slam Cup in 1990.[8]

Gilbert was ranked among the top-ten players in the U.S. for nine of his first ten years on the professional tour. His career win–loss record in singles play was 519–288.[9]

Among his upsets of players ranked in the world's top 3 were his defeat of No. 2 Boris Becker, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4, in Cincinnati in 1989, No. 2 Edberg, 7–6, 6–7, 6–4, in Los Angeles in 1991, No. 3 Sampras, 6–3, 6–4, in London in 1992, and No. 3 Jim Courier, 6–4, 6–4, at Memphis in 1994, Edberg, 6–4, 2–6, 7–6, in Cincinnati in 1989, and perhaps most significantly, No. 2 John McEnroe, 5–7, 6–4, 6–1, at the Masters Grand Prix in 1985, which sent McEnroe into his first six-month break from tennis.[10]

Style of play

Unlike many other professional players of his era, Gilbert did not have a major offensive weapon such as an overpowering serve or forehand. His best asset was his ability to keep the ball in play. He hit the ball most often at a slow but accurate pace and was sometimes called a pusher.[11]

Gilbert kept an open stance and did not turn much during the swing at the baseline. This enabled him to control the game through oversight and tempo, despite his defensive style. He built his game around destroying his opponent's rhythm. He forced his opponent into long rallies by hitting the ball high over the net and deep into his opponent's court. If an opponent employed a slow pace, Gilbert attacked decisively, often at the net. He was one of the sport's top strategists as a player. Although he was easy to get along with outside the court, Gilbert was a fierce competitor with a sometimes annoying style of play, focusing on his opponent's weaknesses. Both his style of play and his mental approach brought him wins over the world's top players and kept him near the top 10 for six years. The title of Gilbert's 1994 nonfiction book, Winning Ugly, was a self-deprecating nod to his unorthodox but successful tennis career.

Davis Cup

Gilbert compiled a 10–5 record in Davis Cup play from 1986 to 1993, with a 7–1 record on hard courts and carpet.[12]

Olympics

Gilbert won a bronze medal in men's singles at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

ATP career finals

Singles: 40 (20 titles, 20 runner-ups)

Legend
Grand Slam Tournaments (0–0)
ATP World Tour Finals (0–2)
ATP Masters 1000 Series (1–3)
ATP 500 Series (0–3)
ATP 250 Series (19–12)
Finals by surface
Hard (17–14)
Clay (0–1)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (3–5)
Finals by setting
Outdoors (13–10)
Indoors (7–10)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1–0Nov 1982Taipei, TaiwanGrand PrixCarpetCraig Wittus6–1, 6–4
Win2–0Aug 1984Columbus, United StatesGrand PrixHardHank Pfister6–3, 3–6, 6–3
Loss2–1Sep 1984San Francisco, United StatesGrand PrixHardJohn McEnroe4–6, 4–6
Win3–1Nov 1984Taipei, TaiwanGrand PrixCarpetWally Masur6–3, 6–3
Win4–1Jul 1985Livingston, United StatesGrand PrixHardBrian Teacher4–6, 7–5, 6–0
Win5–1Aug 1985Cleveland, United StatesGrand PrixHardBrad Drewett6–3, 6–2
Loss5–2Sep 1985Stuttgart, West GermanyGrand PrixClayIvan Lendl4–6, 0–6
Loss5–3Oct 1985Johannesburg, South AfricaGrand PrixHardMatt Anger4–6, 6–3, 3–6, 2–6
Win6–3Oct 1985Tel Aviv, IsraelGrand PrixHardAmos Mansdorf6–3, 6–2
Win7–3Feb 1986Memphis, United StatesGrand PrixHardStefan Edberg7–5, 7–6(7–3)
Win8–3Jul 1986Livingston, United StatesGrand PrixHardMike Leach6–2, 6–2
Win9–3Oct 1986Tel Aviv, IsraelGrand PrixHardAaron Krickstein7–5, 6–2
Win10–3Oct 1986Vienna, AustriaGrand PrixHardKarel Nováček3–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–0
Loss10–4Aug 1987Washington, United StatesGrand PrixHardIvan Lendl1–6, 0–6
Win11–4Oct 1987Scottsdale, United StatesGrand PrixHardEliot Teltscher6–3, 3–6, 4–6
Loss11–5Oct 1987Tel Aviv, IsraelGrand PrixHardAmos Mansdorf4–6, 6–3, 3–6, 2–6
Loss11–6Nov 1987Paris, FranceGrand PrixCarpetTim Mayotte6–2, 3–6, 5–7, 7–6(7–5), 3–6
Loss11–7Nov 1987Johannesburg, South AfricaGrand PrixHardPat Cash6–7(7–9), 6–4, 6–2, 0–6, 1–6
Win12–7Oct 1988Tel Aviv, IsraelGrand PrixHardAaron Krickstein4–6, 7–6(7–5), 6–2
Loss12–8Oct 1988Paris, FranceGrand PrixCarpetAmos Mansdorf3–6, 2–6, 3–6
Win13–8Feb 1989Memphis, United StatesGrand PrixHardJohan Kriek6–2, 6–2, ret.
Loss13–9Mar 1989Dallas, United StatesGrand PrixCarpetJohn McEnroe3–6, 3–6, 6–7(3–7)
Loss13–10Jul 1989Washington, United StatesGrand PrixHardTim Mayotte6–3, 4–6, 5–7
Win14–10Aug 1989Stratton Mountain, United StatesGrand PrixHardJim Pugh7–5, 6–0
Win15–10Aug 1989Livingston, United StatesGrand PrixHardJason Stoltenberg6–4, 6–4
Win16–10Aug 1989Cincinnati, United StatesGrand PrixHardStefan Edberg6–4, 2–6, 7–6(7–5)
Win17–10Oct 1989San Francisco, United StatesGrand PrixHardAnders Järryd7–5, 6–2
Loss17–11Oct 1989Orlando, United StatesGrand PrixHardAndre Agassi2–6, 1–6
Win18–11Mar 1990Rotterdam, NetherlandsWorld SeriesCarpetJonas Svensson6–1, 6–3
Win19–11Apr 1990Orlando, United StatesWorld SeriesHardChristo van Rensburg6–2, 6–1
Loss19–12Aug 1990Cincinnati, United StatesMasters SeriesHardStefan Edberg1–6, 1–6
Win20–12Sep 1990Brisbane, AustraliaWorld SeriesHardAaron Krickstein6–3, 6–1
Loss20–13Dec 1990Munich, GermanyWorld SeriesCarpetPete Sampras3–6, 4–6, 2–6
Loss20–14Feb 1991San Francisco, United StatesWorld SeriesCarpetDarren Cahill2–6, 6–3, 4–6
Loss20–15Aug 1991Los Angeles, United StatesWorld SeriesHardPete Sampras2–6, 7–6(7–5), 3–6
Loss20–16Oct 1991Sydney, AustraliaChampionship SeriesHardStefan Edberg2–6, 2–6, 2–6
Loss20–17Mar 1992Scottsdale, United StatesWorld SeriesHardStefano Pescosolido0–6, 6–1, 4–6
Loss20–18Feb 1993San Francisco, United StatesWorld SeriesHardAndre Agassi2–6, 7–6(7–4), 2–6
Loss20–19Apr 1993Tokyo, JapanChampionship SeriesHardPete Sampras2–6, 2–6, 2–6
Loss20–20Feb 1994Memphis, United StatesChampionship SeriesHardTodd Martin4–6, 5–7

Doubles: 6 (3 titles, 3 runner-ups)

Legend
Grand Slam Tournaments (0–0)
ATP World Tour Finals (0–0)
ATP Masters 1000 Series (1–0)
ATP 500 Series (0–0)
ATP 250 Series (2–3)
Finals by surface
Hard (3–1)
Clay (0–0)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–2)
Finals by setting
Outdoors (3–1)
Indoors (0–2)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentScore
Loss0–1Sep 1985San Francisco, United StatesGrand PrixCarpetSandy MayerPaul Annacone
Christo van Rensburg		6–3, 3–6, 4–6
Win1–1Oct 1985Tel Aviv, IsraelGrand PrixHardIlie NăstaseMichael Robertson
Florin Segărceanu		6–3, 6–2
Win2–1Feb 1986Miami, United StatesMasters SeriesHardVincent Van PattenStefan Edberg
Anders Järryd		walkover
Loss2–2Oct 1986Vienna, AustriaGrand PrixCarpetSlobodan ŽivojinovićRicardo Acioly
Wojtek Fibak		walkover
Loss2–3Sep 1987Los Angeles, United StatesGrand PrixHardTim WilkisonKevin Curren
David Pate		3–6, 4–6
Win3–3Apr 1992Hong Kong, Hong KongWorld SeriesHardJim GrabbByron Black
Byron Talbot		6–2, 6–1

Performance timelines

Singles

Tournament19821983198419851986198719881989199019911992199319941995SRW–LWin %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian OpenA1R4R3RNH3RAAA3R1RAA1R0 / 76–7
French OpenA1R2R1RA2RAAA1R1R3R2RA0 / 85–8
WimbledonA3R3R1R4R3RA1RQF3RA2R2RA0 / 1017–10
US Open2R1R2R3R4RQF2R1R3R1R4R4RAA0 / 1220–12
Win–loss1–12–46–43–46–28–41–10–26–24–43–36–32–20–10 / 3748–37
National Representation
Summer OlympicsNHANot HeldSFNot HeldANot Held0 / 14–1
Year-end Championships
WCT FinalsDid not qualify1RASFFNot Held0 / 33–3
ATP FinalsDid not qualifyQFASFARRDid not qualify0 / 35–3
Grand Slam CupDid not qualifyFDid not qualify0 / 13–1
ATP Masters Series
Indian WellsAAAAAAAQF3RA1R3R1RA0 / 56–5
MiamiAAA2R3R4RAA3R2R2RA3R1R0 / 88–8
Monte CarloAA2RAAAAAAAAAAA0 / 11–1
RomeAAAAAAAA3R1RAAAA0 / 22–2
Canada1R1RAA3RAAA2R3RA1RAA0 / 62–6
CincinnatiAAAAAQF3RWFQF3RQF1RA1 / 824–7
ParisAAAAAFFQF3R2R3R1RAA0 / 713–7
Win–loss0–10–11–11–13–210–36–211–29–64–54–45–42–30–11 / 3756–36

Doubles

Tournament198419851986198719881989199019911992SRW–LWin %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open1R1RA2RAAAAA0 / 30–3
French Open1R1RA2RAAAAA0 / 31–3
WimbledonA1R2R1RA1RAA1R0 / 51–5
US OpenA1R1R1R2RAAA1R0 / 51–5
Win–loss0–20–41–21–41–10–10–00–00–20 / 163–16
ATP Masters Series
MiamiA3RWQFAA2RAA1 / 412–3
RomeAAAAAA1RQFA0 / 22–2
CanadaAA2RAAAA1RA0 / 21–2
CincinnatiAAAQF1RAAA2R0 / 33–3
ParisAAAQFAAAAA0 / 11–1
Win–loss0–02–17–16–30–10–01–22–21–11 / 1219–11

Halls of Fame

Gilbert is a member of the USTA Northern California Hall of Fame, and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.[13][14]

Gilbert is also a 1999 inductee into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame.[15]

Gilbert was inducted in 2001 into the ITA Intercollegiate Tennis Hall of Fame, and in 1996 into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.[16][17]

Gilbert was a 2001 inductee into the Marblehead Boosters Hall of Fame.[18]

Coaching career

Gilbert retired as a player in 1995. Since 1994, he has been successful as a tennis coach. This success has often been associated with the extraordinary tactical abilities exhibited during his own matches.

Andre Agassi

Gilbert was the coach of Andre Agassi for eight years, from March 1994 until January 2002. Agassi won six of his eight majors when Gilbert was his coach. Agassi described Gilbert as "the greatest coach of all time".[19]

Andy Roddick

On June 3, 2003, Gilbert became the coach of Andy Roddick, who won the 2003 US Open under Gilbert's guidance, as well as clinching the year-end world no. 1 for 2003 and reaching the 2004 Wimbledon final. They parted ways on December 12, 2004.

Andy Murray

On July 26, 2006, Gilbert was announced as taking over the coaching duties of Scottish player Andy Murray. As well as coaching Murray, Gilbert took part, pursuant to a 3-year deal, in other British Lawn Tennis Association programmes, including tennis camps at under-12 and under-14 levels.[20] He also worked with the LTA's network of coaches and its high-performance clubs and academies. On November 14, 2007, after 16 months working together, Gilbert and Murray parted company. By then, Murray had reached a then career-high ranking of no. 8.[21]

Alex Bogdanović

In November 2007 it was announced that Gilbert would work for 20 weeks in 2008 for Britain's Lawn Tennis Association, concentrating mostly on coaching Britain's no. 2, Alex Bogdanović, and others in his age group. Bogdanović said he was "unbelievably excited" at the chance of spending time with Gilbert.[22] Roger Draper, the LTA's chief executive, said: "We have set Brad a new challenge of getting Alex into the top 100 and also 'upskilling' our coaches and inspiring the next generation to follow in Andy's footsteps."[23]

Kei Nishikori

While still being committed to his TV items,[24] in December 2010 it was announced that Gilbert would return to coaching, and partner with Kei Nishikori of Japan for 15 tournaments in the 2011 season. Gilbert's partnership with Nishikori concluded at the end of the 2011 season.[25]

Sam Querrey

In February 2012, it was announced that Gilbert would work with American Sam Querrey on a trial basis in 2012.[26]

Coco Gauff

In August 2023, Gilbert joined the team of Coco Gauff.[27] She had a strong showing in her first tournaments since the change, winning the women's singles title at the Washington Open, the Cincinnati Masters shortly thereafter, and her first major win at the 2023 US Open. On 18 September 2024, just over two weeks after her US Open defense ended with a fourth round defeat, the pair ended their arrangement.[28][29]

Commentator and author

Gilbert now serves as a tennis analyst for ESPN. He is also the author of the book Winning Ugly,[30] which gives tips on how an average player can defeat a more skilled opponent and better the average player's mental game. His second book, co-authored by James Kaplan and entitled I've Got Your Back,[31] was published in 2005. He also served as a coach and trainer for actors Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist for the 2024 film Challengers.

Personal life

Gilbert is Jewish[32] and resides with his wife Kim in Malibu, California. They have three children—Zach, Julian, and Zoe.

He owns a tennis shop in Greenbrae, California called Brad Gilbert Tennis Nation. He was a close friend of tennis player and commentator Barry MacKay.

While covering Andy Murray's third-round match in the 2011 Australian Open for ESPN, Gilbert mentioned that he lives near the Olympian runner Michael Johnson and that when he was Murray's coach he introduced Johnson and Murray, who did a series of sprints together on a nearby track.

See also

References

References

  1. ^ Slater, Robert (2006). Great Jews in Sports. Middle Village, New York: Jonathan David Publishers, Inc. pp. 89–91. ISBN 9780824604530. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  2. ^ Ross, Ian (27 April 2019). "Tennis star Gilbert being inducted into Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  3. ^ Del Grande, Dave (9 January 2008). "Big sister, look what you've done". Easy Bay Times. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  4. ^ "U.S. Five Captures Maccabiah Crown". The New York Times. Vol. CXXX, no. 45,011. Associated Press. 16 July 1981. p. B13. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Gilbert Avenges Defeat By Leach". The New York Times. 1986-07-28. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  6. ^ "TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) – Top-seeded Brad Gilbert won the $94,000 Isra". AP NEWS
  7. ^ "If it's Washington DC, Martina must be in the Finals". The Desert Sum via Google News Archive. 13 January 1986. p. 26. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  8. ^ "On this day: Pete Sampras topples Brad Gilbert to win first Grand Slam Cup". Tennis World USA. December 15, 2019.
  9. ^ "Brad Gilbert"
  10. ^ Denizet-Lewis, Benoit (June 27, 2004). "Brad Gilbert Talks a Great Game". The New York Times
  11. ^ Benoit Denizet-Lewis (June 27, 2004). "Brad Gilbert Talks a Great Game". The New York Times. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  12. ^
  13. ^ USTA Northern California Hall of Fame Archived July 23, 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Correspondent, J. (September 18, 2003). "celebrity Jews in the news". J
  15. ^ "CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports". Archived from the original on April 25, 2007. Retrieved March 26, 2007.
  16. ^ ITA Men's Hall of Fame Archived July 3, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
  17. ^ "Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Home". scjewishsportshof.com
  18. ^ Marblehead Marblehead Boosters Club Hall of Fame Archived October 30, 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ "Tennis players – Brad Gilbert". Tennis – ATP World Tour official site
  20. ^ Halley, Jim (August 3, 2006). "Gilbert coaching teen Murray, over firing by Roddick". USA Today. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  21. ^ "Murray splits with coach Gilbert". BBC News. November 14, 2007.
  22. ^ Harman, Neil (November 20, 2007). "Brad Gilbert gives Alex Bogdanovic rallying call to reach potential". The Times. Retrieved April 26, 2010.[dead link]
  23. ^ Newman, Paul (November 19, 2007). "After Murray, Gilbert moves on to coach Bogdanovic, the world No 161". The Independent. Archived from the original on January 20, 2008. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  24. ^ "News – ATP World Tour – Tennis"
  25. ^ "Kei Nishikori 17.01.12 - Interviews - News and Photos - Australian Open Tennis Championships 2012 - Official Site by IBM". Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  26. ^ "Brad Gilbert to work with Sam Querrey on trial basis". TennisNow. February 20, 2012.
  27. ^ "New on Team Coco: Brad Gilbert (updated) – Open Court". 2023-08-01. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
  28. ^ "Coco Gauff and coach Brad Gilbert part ways". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  29. ^ "Gauff splits with coach Gilbert". BBC Sport. September 18, 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  30. ^ Jamison, Steve & Brad Gilbert (1994). Winning Ugly : Mental Warfare in Tennis—Lessons from a Master. New York: Fireside. ISBN 0-671-88400-X.
  31. ^ Andre Agassi; Brad Gilbert; Kaplan, James (2005). I've Got Your Back : Coaching Top Performers from Center Court to the Corner Office. Portfolio Trade. ISBN 1-59184-095-3.
  32. ^ [1], The JC

Bibliography

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Bibliography notes
  1. ^ Online version is titled "Zendaya's 'Challengers' tennis whisperer".