US Open, teenage prodigy, activist: Everything you always wanted to know about Coco Gauff (but never had time to find out) – updated after Time Magazine recognition

At 18 years old, American Coco Gauff has already become a household name in tennis circles. Get to know more about the precocious talent that has been turning heads for the last few seasons, both on and off the court

Coco Gauff, 2020 Australian Open Coco Gauff, 2020 Australian Open

Who is Coco Gauff?

Coco Gauff is an American tennis player and one of the best players on the WTA Tour. In 2023, aged 19, she became the youngest woman to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999 when she won the title. It is her first major title so far. She reached her first career Grand Slam final at the French Open in 2022. She has won seven WTA singles titles, including three in 2023. She reached a career-high world No 3 after her US Open title. She is also one half the world No 1 doubles team, with partner Jessica Pegula.

What is Coco Gauff’s best ranking?

Coco Gauff reached her career high of world No 3 in September 2023, and finished the season in that position. She reached the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Cancun, losing to Jessica Pegula.

What did Coco Gauff do at the US Open in 2023?

Gauff won the title at her home Grand Slam on September 9, 2023. The 19-year-old beat former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki and former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko along the way before defeating Karolina Muchova 6-3, 7-5 in the semi-finals to reach her second Grand Slam final (having finished runner-up to Iga Swiatek at Roland-Garros in 2022). Gauff then upset soon-to-be world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the championship match.

This title formed part a WTA season-best 16-match winning streak for Coco Gauff, also winning the Southern and Western Open in Cincinnati prior to New York, before reaching the semi-finals of the China Open in Beijing, where her streak was ended by Iga Swiatek.

What was Coco Gauff’s biggest title before the 2023 US Open?

Coc Gauff won her first WTA 1000 title on August 20, 2023 when she beat Karolina Muchova 6-3, 6-4 in the final. The teenager won her third title of the year with a superb performance.

Biggest title of her career! 🏆@Cocogauff defeats Muchova 6-3, 6-4 for her 3rd title this year and 5th of her career! #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/TPriB7V4X5

— wta (@WTA) August 20, 2023

How many Grand Slam finals has Coco Gauff reached?

Gauff has reached two finals and won one. Gauff reached the final of Roland-Garros in June of 2022. She lost to world No 1 Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-3 in 68 minutes.

During her run to the final, she drew attention for writing on a TV camera: “End gun violence.” It was in response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which has led to more discussions in the USA over gun control.

Her US Open triumph in 2023 marked her second major final appearance.

How old is Coco Gauff?

Coco Gauff was born on March 13, 2004, and turned 19 in 2023.

Who are her family?

Her parents are Corey, a former basketball player at Georgia State University, and Candi, who competed in Track and Field and Florida State University. Her brothers are Codey, four years younger than her, and Cameron, nine years younger than her.

When did Gauff win her first Grand Slam match?

Gauff qualified at Wimbledon in 2019 and then stunned Venus Williams in the first round. She would reach the second week that year and become the youngest player to reach the round of 16 at Wimbledon since 1991. She was 15 at the time.

When did Gauff win her first WTA match?

Gauff won her first WTA match at the Miami Open in 2019, when she defeated her longtime doubles partner Caty McNally in the first round. Gauff won her first WTA title at Linz in October of 2019.

Who sponsors Coco Gauff?

The American plays with Head racquets and wears New Balance attire. She is a brand ambassador for Barilla, the pasta company, and American Eagle. She is represented by Roger Federer’s management company, Team 8, and agent Tony Godsick.

Who is Gauff’s coach?

Gauff is officialy coached by her father Corey and Brad Gilbert. Former men’s No 4 Brad Gilbert, who coached Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick to the world No 1 ranking, joined the team in July 2023. Gauff has also worked with Patrick Mouratoglou, who spotted her when she was 10 year-old and helped her family with the ChampSeed program. She visits the Frenchman’s academy for training blocks for ten years. Mouratoglou helped Gauff to restart her 2023 season during the clay period, driving her to the 2023 Roland-Garros quarter-finals. Gauff was also previously coached by Pere Riba, who was part of the team when Gauff won the US Open.

Who is Coco Gauff’s boyfriend ?

No boyfriend is known in Coco Gauff’s entourage. She mentioned the existence of a partner during her press conference following her win at the US Open 2023 in New York, saying : “Last night, I started a little bit (to picture what she would do in case of win), but honestly, I just called my boyfriend, and I told him let’s talk until it’s time to go to sleep so we spoke until 1:00 a.m. and then I went to sleep.” She did not mention his identity, was not questioned about it by the reporters and no clue appeared on social media.

How many WTA titles has Gauff won?

Coco Gauff has won seven WTA titles, as of February 23, 2024. She owns a 7-1 lifetime record in finals, including 4-0 in 2023 with triumphs in Auckland, Washington, DC, Cincinnati and at the US Open. She won her seventh and most recent title by defending her crown in Auckland at the start of 2024.

How much prize money has Coco Gauff won in her career?

As of January 8, 2024, Coco Gauff has won $12,250,713 in prize money during her career, in singles and doubles combined. You can see her latest prize money figures on the WTA website.

What did Gauff do during the Covid-19 quarantine?

Gauff became a vocal leader in the movement for racial justice in America by using her social media platforms to share her message. She even gave a powerful speech in Florida that went viral on social media. “If you are choosing silence you are choosing the side of the oppressor,” she said.

In February, 2024, Gauff was named to Time Magazine’s prestigious Woman of the Year list.  “It was to the point where I was crying about it, because I felt like I had to say something,” Gauff was quoted as saying in the Time article. (As she told the crowd in Delray Beach): “If you are choosing silence, you’re choosing the side of the oppressor.”

What is Coco Gauff’s favourite city?

The American adores Paris, and was a champion as a junior at Roland-Garros in 2018 as a 14-year-old.

Does Gauff embrace social media?

Yes! Gauff has an Instagram account with 1 million followers as of September 7, 2023, and an official Twitter with 283,500 followers. She’s also active on TikTok with 261k followers.

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