50 Facts About Coco Gauff

Early Life and Family Background

Coco Gauff's journey to tennis stardom began with a strong foundation rooted in her family and early experiences.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on March 13, 2004, in Delray Beach, Florida, Coco Gauff grew up with two younger brothers, Cameron and Cody.
2. Family Background: Her father, Corey Gauff, played college basketball at Georgia State University, while her mother, Candi Gauff, was a track and field athlete at Florida State University.
3. Early Interest in Tennis: Gauff started playing tennis at six. Her parents encouraged her to pursue sports, and she initially played other sports like gymnastics and soccer.
4. Move to Delray Beach: At seven, her family moved back to Delray Beach for better training opportunities. Her father became her primary coach, and her mother oversaw her homeschooling.

Training and Early Achievements

Coco's dedication and early training set the stage for her future success in tennis.

5. Training at Mouratoglou Academy: At 10, Gauff began training at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France, run by Patrick Mouratoglou, who also coached Serena Williams.
6. Junior Tennis Champion: By 10, Gauff had already won the United States Tennis Association Clay Court National 12-under title in 2014.
7. Junior Grand Slam Debut: In 2017, Gauff made her junior Grand Slam debut at the US Open, finishing runner-up to Amanda Anisimova.
8. Youngest Girls' Singles Finalist: At the 2017 US Open, Gauff became the youngest girls' singles finalist in US Open history.
9. Career in ITF Junior Circuit: Gauff began playing on the ITF Junior Circuit at 13, skipping directly to the highest-level Grade A and Grade 1 tournaments.

Breakthrough in Professional Tennis

Coco's transition from junior to professional tennis was marked by significant milestones and victories.

10. First WTA Tour Debut: Gauff made her WTA Tour debut in March 2019 at the Miami Open at 15.
11. Wildcard Entry to Wimbledon: She received a wildcard into the qualifying draw at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, becoming the youngest player in the tournament's history to qualify for the main draw.
12. Defeating Venus Williams: At Wimbledon in 2019, Gauff famously defeated Venus Williams in the first round, sparking "Cocomania" and drawing widespread attention to her career.
13. Fourth Round at Wimbledon: Gauff reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2019, the youngest player to do so since 1991.
14. First WTA Singles Title: She won her first WTA singles title at the 2019 Linz Open, becoming the youngest woman to achieve this feat since Nicole Vaidisova in 2004.
15. Lucky Loser at Linz Open: Gauff qualified for the Linz Open main draw as a "lucky loser" after another player left due to injury.
16. Career-High Ranking: By the end of 2019, Gauff had climbed to No. 71 in the world rankings, meeting her goal for the year.

Continued Success and Grand Slam Performances

Coco's career continued to flourish with impressive performances in major tournaments.

17. Continued Success: In 2020, Gauff continued to impress, reaching the third round of the US Open and becoming the last player to take a set off Ashleigh Barty in Adelaide in January 2022.
18. First Grand Slam Final: Gauff reached her first Grand Slam final at the 2022 French Open, becoming the youngest woman to reach a Grand Slam final since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
19. Doubles Success: She also reached No. 1 in doubles in August 2022 after winning the doubles title in Toronto.
20. Seeded No. 1 at WTA Event: In 2023, Gauff was seeded No. 1 at a WTA event for the first time at Auckland, where she went all the way to the title without dropping a set.
21. 100th Career Win: A few weeks later at the Australian Open, Gauff recorded her 100th career win, becoming the youngest woman to achieve this milestone since Caroline Wozniacki in 2009.
22. First WTA 500 Title: In July 2023, Gauff won her first WTA 500 title at Washington D.C., not dropping a set en route to the title.
23. 50 Wins at WTA 1000 Events: She became the first teenager to record 50 wins at WTA 1000 events with her victory over Clara Burel at Indian Wells in 2024.
24. US Open Champion: Gauff won her first major singles title at the 2023 US Open, becoming the first teenager to win the title since 1999.
25. Career-High Rankings: Gauff has career-high WTA rankings of world No. 2 in singles and world No. 1 in doubles.

Off-Court Impact and Philanthropy

Beyond her tennis career, Coco Gauff has made significant contributions to society through her activism and philanthropy.

26. Philanthropic Efforts: Off the court, Gauff is dedicated to giving back. She has been involved in initiatives aimed at empowering young people and promoting education.
27. Social Justice Activism: Gauff has used her platform to speak out on social justice issues, including climate change and racial injustice. She has more than 1.7 million followers on Instagram and over 630,000 followers on TikTok.
28. Black Lives Matter Protest: In 2020, Gauff spoke at a Black Lives Matter protest in Florida, noting she was protesting against the same injustices her grandmother fought "50-plus years ago".
29. Education and Homeschooling: Despite her busy tennis schedule, Gauff prioritizes her education. She is homeschooled by her mother, ensuring she balances her athletic career with academic responsibilities.
30. Athletic Family: Gauff's athletic background is deeply ingrained. Her father was a college basketball player, and her mother excelled in track and field.

Endorsements and Public Image

Coco's success on the court has also translated into lucrative endorsement deals and a strong public image.

31. Major Endorsement Deals: By the age of 15, Gauff had already secured lucrative endorsement deals with companies like New Balance, Head, and Barilla.
32. Government Name: Gauff's real name is Cori Dionne Gauff, named after her father. Her aunt suggested calling her "Coco" to avoid confusion, and the nickname stuck.
33. Mental Toughness: A hallmark of Gauff's game is her remarkable composure, particularly in high-pressure situations. Her mental toughness allows her to stay focused even in difficult matches against highly experienced opponents.
34. Coaching and Training: While coached primarily by her father, Gauff has also trained under the guidance of Patrick Mouratoglou, one of the top coaches in tennis. Mouratoglou has helped refine her game and offered invaluable insight.
35. Philanthropic Commitment: Gauff's commitment to philanthropy reflects her desire to use her platform for the betterment of society. She supports various causes aimed at empowering young people and promoting education.

Future Prospects and Legacy

Coco Gauff's career is still in its early stages, but her future prospects look incredibly bright.

36. Olympic Representation: Gauff will represent the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, further cementing her status as a global tennis star.
37. Career Titles: Gauff has won eight WTA Tour singles titles, including the 2023 US Open, and nine doubles titles, including the 2024 French Open.
38. Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Results: In mixed doubles, Gauff has reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2022.
39. US Open Doubles Champion: She won the US Open doubles title in 2023, solidifying her position as a top doubles player.
40. French Open Singles Champion: Although she has not yet won a singles title at the French Open, her performance in 2022 marked a significant milestone in her career.
41. Athletic Inheritance: Gauff's athletic background is evident in her physical and mental strength on the court. Her parents' sporting backgrounds have been crucial in shaping her abilities.
42. Balancing Education and Tennis: Despite her busy schedule, Gauff prioritizes her education. She balances life as a top-tier athlete and student, showing that success does not come at the expense of learning.
43. Early Success in Junior Tournaments: Gauff's early success in junior tournaments was marked by her win at the United States Tennis Association Clay Court National 12-under title in 2014.
44. Training with Gerard Loglo: Gauff worked with Gerard Loglo at the New Generation Tennis Academy starting from the age of eight, which provided her with foundational training.
45. Champ'Seed Foundation: Patrick Mouratoglou's Champ'Seed foundation provided funding for Gauff's training, helping her access high-level training facilities.
46. Career Milestones: Gauff has achieved numerous career milestones, including becoming the youngest player to qualify for the main draw at Wimbledon and reaching the fourth round of the tournament.
47. Impact on Tennis: Gauff's impact on tennis extends beyond her on-court achievements. She has inspired a new generation of tennis players and fans with her talent and poise.
48. Social Media Presence: With over 1.7 million followers on Instagram and more than 630,000 followers on TikTok, Gauff has a significant social media presence that she uses to engage with fans and promote social causes.
49. Role Model: Gauff is an inspiration for athletes and non-athletes alike. Her commitment to education, philanthropy, and social justice makes her a role model for many young people.
50. Future Prospects: As Coco Gauff continues to excel in her career, her future prospects look bright. She is poised to become one of the top players in the world, both in singles and doubles, and her influence on tennis will only continue to grow.

Coco Gauff: A Rising Star

Coco Gauff's journey from a young tennis prodigy to a global sensation is nothing short of inspiring. Born in Delray Beach, Florida, she started playing tennis at six and quickly rose through the ranks. By 15, she was making headlines, notably defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon. Gauff's achievements include winning her first WTA singles title at the 2019 Linz Open, reaching the 2022 French Open final, and clinching her first major singles title at the 2023 US Open. Off the court, she's a vocal advocate for social justice and education, using her platform to inspire others. With her remarkable talent, mental toughness, and commitment to philanthropy, Coco Gauff is not just a tennis star but a role model for many. Her future in tennis looks incredibly bright, and her impact on the sport will be felt for years to come.