Meet Coco Gauff's Parents Who Stepped Back As Coaches So She Could Step Forward

Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old tennis extraordinaire just won her first major title, defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the 2023 US Open. She is the youngest American to win since Serena Williams in 1999. After the match, Coco thanked her parents for their unwavering support. Coco has always been vocal with her gratitude for her parents, “My mom, I love you so much for being my emotional support....," she said. "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.”

While coaches have been brought in over the years, Coco’s parents, Corey and Candy Gauff, have largely been front and center. That is, until about six weeks ago when they more or less disappeared from the frontlines. Given Coco’s age as she rose through the ranks, it’s not hard to imaging why her parents were so involved, but it seems they’ve decided that just being parents is a big enough job on it’s own and in order for Coco to move to the next level as a player it was time to trust the coaching—and parenting—to the respective professionals.

Billie Jean King presented Coco with her $3 million prize money, honoring the 50th Anniversary of King’s successful fight for equal pay for women and men at the US Open. Learn more here.