| Full Name | Cori 'Coco' Gauff |
| Date of Birth | March 13, 2004 |
| Place of Birth | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in |
| Playing Hand | Right-handed |
| Backhand Style | Two-handed backhand |
| Turned Pro Year | 2018 |
Cori Dionne “Coco” Gauff, born on March 13, 2004, in Atlanta, Georgia, stands as one of the most electrifying talents in modern tennis, blending prodigious skill with unyielding determination.
At just 21 years old, the American phenom has ascended to the pinnacle of the sport, securing two Grand Slam singles titles and a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in singles, alongside a former No. 1 in doubles.
Her journey from a wide-eyed junior sensation to a global icon is marked by audacious upsets, relentless breakthroughs, and an infectious charisma that transcends the court.
Gauff’s story is one of family sacrifice, mental fortitude, and cultural impact, as she not only dominates baselines but also champions social justice, inspiring a new generation of athletes.
Early career
Gauff’s affinity for tennis ignited at the tender age of six, when her father, Corey, introduced her to the sport on the public courts of Delray Beach, Florida, where the family had relocated from Atlanta to nurture her burgeoning talent.
Both parents, former college athletes—Corey in basketball and mother Candi in track and field—sacrificed their careers to coach and support her, homeschooling Gauff to balance rigorous training with education.
By seven, she was under the guidance of professional coaches at the New Generation Tennis Academy, and at ten, she became the youngest winner of the USTA Clay Court National 12-and-under title, showcasing a maturity that caught the eye of elite mentors.
Her junior exploits were nothing short of legendary. In 2016, at 12, she stormed to the semifinals of the prestigious Les Petits As tournament.
Turning pro at 13, Gauff skipped lower-tier events to compete in high-stakes Grade A tournaments, finishing runner-up at the 2017 US Open girls’ singles as the youngest finalist in history without dropping a set.
The pinnacle came in 2018: she claimed the French Open junior singles crown, becoming the fifth-youngest champion ever, and ascended to world No. 1 junior after triumphs at Roehampton and the US Open girls’ doubles with Caty McNally.
Senior career
Transitioning to the professional circuit in 2018, Gauff wasted no time shattering barriers. Her WTA debut arrived at the 2019 Miami Open, but it was Wimbledon that year that catapulted her to stardom: as a 15-year-old qualifier, she stunned her idol Venus Williams in the first round, becoming the tournament’s youngest qualifier and reaching the fourth round, where she fell to eventual champion Simona Halep.
That breakthrough secured her first WTA singles title at the Linz Open later that season, marking her as the youngest titlist since 2004. The 2020 Australian Open saw her upset world No. 1 Naomi Osaka en route to the fourth round, solidifying her top-50 status.
Gauff’s ascent accelerated in 2021 with a French Open quarterfinal and a doubles title at Parma alongside McNally. By 2022, she reached her maiden Grand Slam singles final at Roland Garros, losing to Iga Świątek, while partnering Jessica Pegula to reclaim the world No. 1 doubles ranking.
The 2023 season was transformative: victories at the Washington Open, Cincinnati Masters (her first WTA 1000), and a crowning US Open singles triumph over Aryna Sabalenka made her the youngest American Grand Slam winner since Serena Williams in 1999.
In 2024, she added the French Open doubles title with Kateřina Siniaková, conquered Beijing and the WTA Finals—becoming the youngest champion there since Maria Sharapova—and peaked at No. 2 in singles.
Entering 2025 as a favorite, Gauff led the U.S. to United Cup glory, bowed out in the Australian Open quarterfinals, but redeemed the year with a second major singles crown at the French Open, edging Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final.
Despite a shocking first-round Wimbledon exit, her adaptability—bolstered by coaches like Matt Daly and biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan—promises further dominance.
Achievements
Gauff’s trophy cabinet gleams with 10 WTA singles titles, including the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open majors, the 2024 WTA Finals, and WTA 1000 crowns at Cincinnati and Beijing.
In doubles, she boasts 10 victories, highlighted by the 2024 French Open with Siniaková and multiple Doha and Miami triumphs with Pegula, en route to two stints at world No. 1. Her junior accolades include the 2018 French Open singles and US Open doubles, plus a No. 1 ranking that underscored her prodigy status.
Beyond hardware, Gauff’s accolades encompass cultural milestones: as the youngest U.S. flagbearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside LeBron James, she reached the third round in singles and semifinals in doubles.
Nominated for the 2023 Laureus Breakthrough of the Year, she earned WTA Most Improved Player honors and has amassed a 267-112 singles record.
Off-court, her advocacy shines through initiatives like upgrading Atlanta parks and speaking on racial justice and climate change, while endorsements with New Balance, Rolex, and Bose have swelled her net worth to over \$35 million, blending athletic prowess with global ambassadorship.
Personal life
Raised in a tight-knit Christian family with two younger brothers, Codey and Cameron, Gauff credits her parents’ unwavering support as the bedrock of her success, often sharing pre-match prayers with her father for strength and safety.
Homeschooled by her mother, she navigated early fame’s pressures, openly discussing bouts of depression and stress in 2020 without a clinical diagnosis, emphasizing mental health’s role in her growth.
An anime enthusiast—favorites include “My Hero Academia”—and admirer of streamers like Valkyrae, Gauff unwinds through pop culture, while her early stunt double gig as young Serena Williams in a Delta commercial foreshadowed her destined path.
In romance, Gauff has embraced her first serious relationship since spring 2023 with Atlanta-based artist and musician Jalen Sera, a connection rooted in serendipity—her mother Candi was his fourth-grade teacher.
The couple, who marked their second anniversary in June 2025, keeps much private, but Gauff has praised Sera’s grounding influence, free from tennis’s orbit, as a source of fresh perspective and emotional anchor.
He cheers her victories with Instagram tributes like “Warrior” after semifinals and soothes losses with late-night talks, reminding her to “trust the process.”
Q&A
Q: What inspired Coco Gauff to start playing tennis, and who were her biggest influences growing up?
Gauff picked up a racket at six, nudged by her father on Florida’s public courts, but her passion exploded watching the Williams sisters dominate. Serena and Venus became her idols; she met Serena at eight and tearfully thanked Venus after upsetting her at Wimbledon in 2019, crediting them for reshaping tennis and inspiring Black girls worldwide.
Q: How has Gauff balanced her demanding career with education and personal growth?
Homeschooled by her mother through high school, Gauff aced exams even during Wimbledon runs, proving discipline’s power. She’s vocal about mental health, seeking therapy post-2020 struggles, and uses anime binges for decompression, turning potential burnout into sustained excellence.
Q: What role has family played in Coco Gauff’s rise to the top of tennis?
Everything—her parents quit jobs to coach and relocate for her training, instilling a work ethic rooted in their athletic pasts. Gauff calls them her “biggest cheerleaders,” from courtside strategy to post-match prayers, a dynamic that kept her grounded amid prodigy pressures.
Q: How does Coco Gauff use her platform beyond tennis achievements?
As a fierce advocate, she amplifies voices on racial injustice, climate action, and equality, partnering with initiatives like Black Lives Matter and park upgrades in Atlanta. Her 2024 Olympic flagbearing amplified her as a role model, merging sport with social impact.
Q: What are Coco Gauff’s future aspirations in tennis and life?
More majors, Olympic gold, and emulating Federer’s elegance while honoring the Williams legacy. Off-court, she eyes business ventures and activism, aiming to “change the world” through her foundation, all while cherishing simple joys like family time and her supportive relationship.