Additional Coverage:
- Coco Gauff, 21, just won the French Open. She says her parents have her back in very different ways. (businessinsider.com)
Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old tennis sensation, clinched her second Grand Slam title at the French Open on Saturday, a victory made even sweeter by the presence of her parents. Gauff acknowledged their unwavering support during a post-match press conference, emphasizing the vital role they played in her journey.
“They’re the people who listen to my opinion the most,” Gauff stated, contrasting her experience with the sometimes tumultuous parent-child dynamics seen in the world of professional tennis. She recounted asking her father, Corey Gauff, to step back from coaching her this year, a decision she described as beneficial for both of them. Conversely, she requested her mother, Candi Gauff, join her team on the road, adding a much-needed female presence to her predominantly male support system.
Gauff expressed her gratitude for her parents’ sacrifices, saying, “They put so much into this, so I’m glad that I get to experience it with them.” The heartwarming moment was captured in a photograph of Gauff sharing a long embrace with her parents in the stands after her victory.
Corey Gauff, a former college athlete, described his ongoing support for his daughter, revealing how he watches her matches remotely and offers advice via text messages. Both parents had previously left their careers – Candi Gauff her teaching position and Corey Gauff his job – to dedicate themselves to their daughter’s burgeoning tennis career. They credit their own experiences as college athletes with providing them the perspective and understanding to guide their daughter through the pressures of professional sports.