Coco Gauff has reached a career-defining moment in her tennis career, and she’s said she has her parents to thank. The 19-year-old tennis sensation will compete in the U.S. Open’s final match against Aryna Sabalenka on September 9, 2023, making her the youngest American (male or female) to reach this stage of the tournament since Serena Williams won her first of 23 major singles titles at the age of 17. Coco Gauff currently has five World Tennis Association (WTA) singles titles, but if she wins on Saturday, it would mark the first major title of her career.
After a WTA match last month, Coco Gauff took a moment to thank her parents, Corey and Candi Gauff, for helping her get to this level. She said, “My mom, I love you so much for being my emotional support… My dad… he is the reason why I’m here today. He’s the reason why I play tennis. He’s the reason why I believe that I can do this.” Let’s delve deeper into the lives of Corey and Candi Gauff, the parents who have played pivotal roles in Coco’s remarkable journey.
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Corey Gauff
Corey Gauff, a former basketball player at Georgia State University, introduced Coco to a diverse range of sports during her upbringing. From basketball to church praise dance, Corey encouraged his daughter to explore various avenues. However, it was in the realm of tennis that Coco’s true talent emerged.
Corey Gauff not only exposed Coco to sports but also became her first coach when he and his wife, Candi, recognized her exceptional aptitude for tennis. During her historic run at Wimbledon in 2019, Corey and Candi Gauff epitomized positive sports parenting. One of the valuable lessons Corey imparted to his daughter was the importance of maintaining uplifting body language on the court. “Cheer yourself on and have good body language,” he emphasized during her training. “When you’re frustrated with yourself, you can’t perform. Not just in sports, but in life. If you’re always frustrated, you can’t be at your best.”
His training and words of wisdom bore fruit when Coco Gauff defeated the legendary Venus Williams at the 2019 tournament. After the match, Coco acknowledged her father’s pivotal role in her journey, stating, “I want to be the greatest. My dad told me I could do this when I was 8, and obviously, you never believe it. I’m still not 100 percent confident, but you have to say things and believe in them and see what happens.”
Corey Gauff’s influence extended beyond the tennis court. Coco shared how her father’s guidance shaped her approach to matches, emphasizing that having a winning mindset was crucial. In her words, “My goal was just to play my best, and my dream was to win. And that’s what happened.”
Fast forward to her remarkable 2023 U.S. Open journey, and Coco Gauff emphasized that her father continues to play an active role in her match preparation. Even as he contributes to her scouting reports, he remains a loving father who has been instrumental in her success.
Candi Gauff
Candi Gauff, like her family, boasts an athletic background as a former hurdler and heptathlete at Florida State University. However, when it comes to her daughter’s tennis career, Candi has chosen to take a step back from training and coaching roles. Her intention is to be an oasis of support available outside of the competitive arena.
“I try to back away on the court because too many voices can be a crowd,” she explained in 2019. “I let my husband be the coach, and I’m the supportive mom, the one if she hurts or is crying that she can communicate with.”
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Candi Gauff played a crucial role in helping Coco “compartmentalize” her sports and academic life to ensure as normal a childhood as possible. This balance was essential to Coco’s development as both a student and an athlete.
During Coco’s breakout performance at Wimbledon in 2019, Candi Gauff went viral for her celebratory dance moves, showcasing her unbridled excitement and support for her daughter. Coco, who was equally excited, eagerly shared the clip and helped her mom achieve meme status.
One poignant moment that highlights the bond between Coco and her mother occurred after Coco’s victory against Venus Williams. Candi Gauff recalled, “We gave her a hug and she said ‘Mom, really, did you think I could win? Come on, tell me!’ And I was like ‘Yeah, I really thought you could win!’” This mother-daughter connection, rooted in trust and unwavering belief, has been a driving force in Coco Gauff’s journey to becoming one of tennis’s brightest stars.
