Coco Gauff

Cori “Coco” Gauff

March 13, 2004

Rising legend Tennis Star

Cori “Coco” Gauff’s extraordinary journey in the world of dominating the world of tennis continues to inspire and amaze fans worldwide. Her remarkable talent, combined with unwavering determination, has firmly established her as a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court. At the age of 19, Gauff achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the third American teenager to secure the national women’s title. Her promising future in women’s tennis, which had been anticipated since she was just 15 years old, became a reality at the US Open. In an electrifying final at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 19-year-old American triumphed over the No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, the current top-ranked player in the WTA, with a thrilling score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. This victory not only solidifies her status but also makes her the 11th teenager in history to secure a Grand Slam singles title

Coco Gauff has her first Grand Slam title. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Dominating the Court

Cori Dionne “Coco” Gauff, born on March 13, 2004, is a rising American professional tennis sensation. With an impressive record of six WTA Tour singles titles, including a major victory at the 2023 US Open, and eight doubles titles, Gauff is making waves in the world of tennis. She achieved great success alongside partners Jessica Pegula and Caty McNally.

Early Triumphs

Born to parents with NCAA Division I collegiate backgrounds in basketball and track and field, Gauff displayed her extraordinary talent from a young age. In 2018, she claimed the title of the world’s No. 1 junior player after winning the junior French Open singles championship. Additionally, she secured a junior major doubles title at the 2018 US Open.

Breakthrough Moments

Gauff’s remarkable journey to tennis stardom started in March 2019 when she made her WTA Tour debut at the Miami Open. A true breakthrough came at the 2019 Wimbledon when she became the youngest player ever to qualify for the main draw, defeating the legendary Venus Williams in the opening round and reaching the fourth round. Later that summer, she made waves again by advancing to the third round of the US Open. Gauff’s remarkable journey continued with her victory at the 2019 Linz Open, making her the youngest singles title holder on the Tour since 2004.

Majestic Ascent

In 2021, Gauff reached her first major final in women’s doubles at the US Open. She followed up with another milestone by reaching her first major singles final at the 2022 French Open. Finally, in 2023, she claimed her first WTA 1000 title at the Cincinnati Masters and secured her maiden major singles title at the prestigious US Open.

Early Life and Training

Born in Atlanta on March 13, 2004, to Candi and Corey Gauff, both hailing from Delray Beach, Florida, Cori Gauff grew up in a supportive family with two younger brothers. Her parents, who had athletic backgrounds in basketball and track and field, relocated the family to Delray Beach when she was seven to provide her with better tennis training opportunities. Her journey began at the tender age of six, and she honed her skills under the guidance of Gerard Loglo at the New Generation Tennis Academy, starting at just eight years old.

Gauff’s love for tennis truly blossomed when she participated in ‘Little Mo’ at the age of eight. From that point on, she was determined to dedicate her life to the sport. Her parents made significant sacrifices, leaving behind their careers to focus on their daughter’s training. Her father, with limited tennis experience, became her primary coach, while her mother took on the role of overseeing her homeschooling.

At the age of 10, Gauff embarked on an exciting chapter by training at the Mouratoglou Academy in France, under the mentorship of Patrick Mouratoglou, the esteemed coach of Serena Williams. This marked a pivotal moment in her career, where her talent, determination, athleticism, and fighting spirit shone through.

Remarkable Achievements

Even at a young age, Gauff exhibited her extraordinary skills, winning the USTA Clay Court National 12-and-under title when she was just 10 years and three months old. This victory made her the youngest champion in the tournament’s storied history.

Awards and Honors

  • Candace Award for Trailblazing from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, 1987
  • Wendell Scott Greased Lightning Award from the Wendell Scott Foundation
  • Named one of America’s Top 100 Black Business and Professional Women by Dollars and Sense magazine
  • Featured in an hour-long TBS special, The Achievers, during Black History Month, 1988

Tennis Honors

  1. Grand Slam Titles: Winning any of the four Grand Slam tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open) is a significant achievement and often considered the pinnacle of a tennis player’s career.
  2. ATP Awards: The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) presents various annual awards, including:
    • ATP Player of the Year: Given to the top-ranked male player.
    • ATP Doubles Team of the Year: Awarded to the best-performing doubles team.
    • Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award: Recognizes fair play, sportsmanship, and professionalism.
    • Most Improved Player of the Year: Presented to the player who has made significant progress in their performance.
  3. WTA Awards: The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) also has its set of awards, including:
    • WTA Player of the Year: Given to the top-ranked female player.
    • WTA Doubles Team of the Year: Awarded to the best-performing doubles team.
    • Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award: Recognizes sportsmanship and conduct.
    • Most Improved Player of the Year: Presented to the player who has shown the most improvement.
  4. ITF World Champion: The International Tennis Federation (ITF) recognizes male and female world champions based on their performances in Grand Slam events, Davis Cup, and Fed Cup.
  5. Olympic Gold Medal: Tennis is included in the Summer Olympics, and winning a gold medal in the tennis event is a prestigious achievement.
  6. Year-End World No. 1: Players who finish the year as the world’s No. 1 ranked player receive recognition for their year-long consistency.
  7. Hall of Fame Induction: The International Tennis Hall of Fame honors legendary players, coaches, and contributors to the sport.
  8. Davis Cup and Fed Cup Commitment Awards: Players who have represented their countries with distinction in Davis Cup (men) and Fed Cup (women) can receive special recognition.
  9. Sportsmanship Awards: Many tournaments, including Grand Slams, present sportsmanship awards to players who display exemplary conduct on and off the court.
  10. Endorsement Deals and Prizes: Successful players often receive lucrative endorsement deals and significant cash prizes for their tournament victories.