Coco Gauff has long been in the spotlight, a Florida kid who learned the game early and grew up under the careful guidance of her mother, Candi, while her father, Corey, handled the coaching. The pressure of expectations sometimes brought tears, even as she showed extraordinary potential from her first Wimbledon appearance in 2019, when she became the youngest qualifier and stunned Venus Williams on her way to the fourth round.
That same year, at just 15, she shed tears after a tough loss in the US Open third round. Naomi Osaka had just claimed the title at Flushing Meadows at age 20, and the weight of public interest was immense. Gauff’s poise under scrutiny drew praise for how she and her family navigated the moment with grace, and the public recognized the dedicated work of her parents behind the scenes.
Return to victory
This Saturday, in a scene echoing Arthur Ashe Stadium’s electric atmosphere, Gauff cried again, but this time the emotion was different. She had just finished the US Open final against Australia’s Aryna Sabalenka, and two hours and six minutes later, she stood as the world No. 1 as of that Monday.
Coco Gauff has transformed from a spectator’s dream in the stands to a title-winning force at the US Open.
Everything feels possible.
— US Open Tennis
Despite not delivering her best tennis at every stretch, Gauff clinched her breakthrough with scores of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Earlier, she had already shown resilience by defeating a formidable opponent in Paris, and she climbed to No. 3 in the rankings, delivering a prize that matched a milestone long sought in the sport. In a moment of public gratitude, she thanked Billie Jean King for the historic prize parity achieved in New York.
Coco addressed Billie Jean King directly, acknowledging the milestone as a shared victory for women in tennis.
— US Open Tennis
End of doubts
Gauff’s rise drew the attention of legends and mentors alike. Roger Federer once spoke of her talent and guided her through a period of intense training with Team8. Critics who doubted her were quieted as this summer marked a shift in her physical and mental preparation, with Pere Riba and Brad Gilbert among those who helped shape her path after an early Wimbledon exit. The new champion offered thanks to those who doubted her, noting that their skepticism only fueled her fire, not diminished it. In Washington (WTA500) and Cincinnati (WTA1000), she added titles and further solidified her standing, while addressing questions about the naysayers with a calm, fiery confidence.
The words did not read as arrogance. They stood as a reaffirmation of self-belief and the power of family support, a story about freeing oneself from doubt and embracing a future built with the help of a trusted team and devoted parents. Today, Gauff shines both on and off the court.
Inspired by Alcaraz
In recent matches, there has been a clear evolution in her game—more athletic efficiency, sharper movement, and improved stability on the right side. In interviews, she has explained how a few key habits helped her progress: she learned to smile more, to enjoy the moment, and to let the game be a source of joy rather than a sole measure of worth. After a victory press conference, she described development with clarity, maturity, and honesty.
She shared a personal insight: her mother reminds her that she is human. Tennis is an important part of who she is, but it does not define her entirely. In the past, she tied her self-worth to results on the court, and she learned that love from her parents, who reminded her that they would stand by her no matter the outcome.
Childhood dreams
The journey has been long. At 15, the idea of success carried heavy expectations, and at 17 she felt pressure to move past early signs of development. Serena Williams—her idol and a major figure in women’s tennis—along with Venus and other legends, shaped her perspective. She once worried about time limits and whether triumph must come by a certain age, but now she works with a different mindset: do it for herself, not for others. Go out and give your best, she has learned.
The strategy paid off. The girl who once danced in the stands at Arthur Ashe became the queen of the Open after 11 days of competition. When asked what she would tell that younger version of herself, Gauff urged her to hold onto her dreams, keep working, and believe. Do not let doubt steal hope.
Ready and hungry for more
Gauff is an active presence on social media, aware of how the sport intersects with culture and society in the United States. She honors pioneers like Althea Gibson, the Williams sisters, Sloane Stephens, and Naomi Osaka for opening doors and inspiring the next generation. She believes that another young athlete could see this victory and think, I can add my name to the list as well.
Looking ahead, she remains vocal about social and racial justice, climate activism, and the broader responsibilities of public visibility. Her hunger for more extends beyond trophies and rankings; it’s about using sport as a platform to advocate for meaningful change while continuing to excel on the court. She is mindful of the real-life pressures many face and humbly recognizes her fortunate position, committed to using that platform to help others and drive progress.
In short, Gauff’s story shows a blend of talent, tenacity, and tenacious belief in the power of family, community, and purpose. The road ahead is clear: more breakthroughs, more leadership, and more proof that dreams can become reality with the right support and the courage to stay true to oneself.