Coco Gauff: A Rising Star in Tennis
Coco Gauff has rapidly ascended to global stardom in the world of tennis, captivating audiences with her dynamic playing style and infectious personality since she first made headlines as a 15-year-old. Born on March 13, 2004, in Atlanta, Georgia, she stands at 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) and weighs around 121 pounds (64 kg). Gauff currently resides in Delray Beach, Florida, where her journey as a tennis prodigy began.
Early Life and Career
Gauff’s tennis career commenced at the tender age of six, shortly after her family relocated to Delray Beach in pursuit of better training facilities. Her early commitment to the sport saw her training at the New Generation Tennis Academy by age eight. Recognizing her exceptional potential, her parents, Candi and Corey Gauff, sacrificed their careers—Corey took on the role of Coco’s coach while Candi homeschooled her. At the age of ten, Coco further advanced her skills at the Mouratoglou Academy.
She is the eldest sibling, with two younger brothers, Cameron and Codey, who often inspire her off the court. Gauff frequently shares lighthearted moments with her brothers on social media, showing the strong bond they share.
Inspiration and Role Models
Growing up, Gauff idolized tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams, who were pivotal in motivating her to pursue a career in tennis. Their impact is profound, especially for Gauff as a young African American athlete in a sport that has often lacked diversity. She also looked up to American player Sloane Stephens, who once made a surprise appearance at her birthday celebration.
Breakthrough Moments
Gauff’s breakthrough performance on the international stage occurred during the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, where she reached the fourth round just after her fifteenth birthday. Her journey included a remarkable victory over Venus Williams, which significantly raised her profile in the tennis world, even though her run was eventually halted by Simona Halep.
The young athlete achieved her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open when she triumphed over Aryna Sabalenka. After losing the opening set 2-6, Gauff rallied and won the match 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, marking a significant milestone in her career. She followed this triumph by claiming her second Grand Slam title at the 2025 French Open, once again defeating Sabalenka in a thrilling final matchup.
Career Highlights
Despite becoming a Grand Slam champion, Gauff has also faced challenging moments, including losing two finals to Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros in 2022 and 2023. Her highest ranking thus far has been No. 2, achieved on June 10, 2024, as she has contended with consistently high-level competitors like Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.
Across her career, Gauff has accumulated ten WTA titles, including her significant victory at the 2024 WTA Finals, where she defeated Olympic Gold Medalist Qinwen Zheng in a closely contested final. Though she favors hard courts, the surface on which she developed her game, her performance on clay has been impressive as well.
Off-Court Interests and Philanthropy
Coco has expressed her love for Paris, home to the famed Roland Garros tournament, citing its rich cuisine and history as reasons for her affection, even if it doesn’t align with her favorite surface to play on. She admires Beyoncé for her artistry and has surprising interests beyond tennis, such as superhero movies and social media. Her connection to music was publicly highlighted when Tyler, the Creator referenced her in a recent song.
Fluent in English, Gauff is also making strides to learn French. Her fashion statement includes two signature shoes with New Balance, with the CG1 released in 2022 and the CG2 in 2024, each marking significant milestones in her career as she won her first Grand Slam wearing the CG1.
Financial Achievements and Legacy
Financially, Gauff made headlines in 2024 as the highest-paid female athlete, with an earning of about $30.4 million from both her prize money and endorsement deals, while also gaining recognition for her marketability within the sport. Despite her lofty achievements, Gauff maintains a private life, particularly concerning her rumored boyfriend, Jalen Sera. Philanthropy is also important to Gauff, who has made substantial charitable contributions, including funding scholarships for tennis players at historically black colleges and universities in the U.S.
Conclusion
Through both her on-court success and her off-court endeavors, Coco Gauff continues to emerge not only as a talented athlete but also as a powerful role model for upcoming generations.
