6 Fascinating Facts About Rising Tennis Star Cori “Coco” Gauff
With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on the horizon, all eyes are on rising tennis star Cori “Coco” Gauff. While Gauff has already made a name for herself in the tennis world, there are some lesser-known facts about her that make her even more intriguing.
At just six years old, Gauff began playing tennis and quickly rose through the ranks. In 2019, she made history as the youngest player to qualify for Wimbledon’s main draw in the Open Era at the age of 15. Not stopping there, Gauff went on to win her first WTA singles title at the Linz Open in Austria, becoming the youngest titleholder on the WTA tour since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
But Gauff’s impact goes beyond the court. She is known for her activism and advocacy efforts, fearlessly speaking out against injustices. Recently, she called out Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis before playing at the French Open, showing her commitment to championing change.
One of Gauff’s most memorable moments came in 2019 when she defeated tennis legend Venus Williams in the first round of Wimbledon. This victory catapulted her talent onto the world stage, solidifying her as a force to be reckoned with.
Hailing from the Dirty South, Gauff spent her early years in Atlanta before moving to Delray Beach, Florida, where her tennis career took off. With her mother homeschooling her and her father serving as her coach, Gauff’s family has played a significant role in her success.
At just 10 years old, Gauff began training with Patrick Mouratoglou, who also coached Serena Williams. While Mouratoglou helped shape her game, Gauff’s father remained her main coach, guiding her towards greatness.
As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games draw closer, all eyes will be on Coco Gauff as she continues to make waves both on and off the court.