Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old tennis sensation and two-time Grand Slam champion, traded her racket for sun-soaked serenity in a captivating Florida getaway that had fans buzzing. On July 25, 2025, the World No. 2 shared a vibrant Instagram post, showcasing her basking in her home state’s natural beauty, clad in a chic olive-green bikini. Captioned “just a floridian pisces in her natural habitat” with mermaid and sparkle emojis, the post offered a glimpse into Gauff’s rejuvenating break following a challenging first-round exit at Wimbledon. The 18-frame carousel, set to Sade’s “Paradise,” captured her kayaking through lush waterways, swimming in crystal ponds, and marveling at Florida’s wildlife, including adorable turtles. This moment of tranquility underscored Gauff’s deep connection to her roots and her ability to shine off the court as brightly as she does on it.
Gauff’s Florida retreat came at a pivotal moment. After a stellar start to 2025, highlighted by her second Grand Slam title at the French Open, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final, her Wimbledon campaign ended abruptly against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, 7-6(3), 6-1. The loss, marked by 29 unforced errors and nine double-faults, was a rare misstep for the American star. “I just didn’t feel like myself out there,” Gauff admitted post-match, reflecting on her grass-court struggles. Opting out of the Mubadala Citi DC Open, she chose to recharge in Delray Beach, where she grew up training on public courts. “Delray Beach helped spark my tennis journey, so it’s special to me to tell the story of this community that influenced exactly why I love this sport,” she said, referencing her New Balance signature shoe, the Coco Delray, which pays homage to her hometown.
The Instagram post, which garnered over 2 million views from her followers, showcased Gauff’s effortless style and vibrant energy. Perched by a waterfront cove in her earth-toned bikini, surrounded by Florida’s lush greenery, she embodied serenity. Fans flooded the comments with praise, with one exclaiming, “So glad you’re taking time to rest, relax and rejuvenate yourself!” Another noted, “You look like you are truly enjoying yourself! Keep it up queen!” Yet, some expressed playful concern about Florida’s wildlife, with comments like, “Nah, sis, that first pic is giving gator in the water. You look cute, though.” Gauff’s lighthearted response to such remarks, including a quip about avoiding alligators, highlighted her ability to connect with fans through humor and authenticity.
Beyond her bikini moment, Gauff’s off-court presence continues to captivate. Her fashion choices, from the neon green cropped top and denim jorts in Atlanta to the Marvel-inspired backless kit at the Australian Open, reflect her bold style. “When you walk on court with a good outfit and your hair, your braids are fresh and your skin is looking good, then you just feel like, ‘Okay, I’m gonna beat this girl today,’” she once said, emphasizing how style boosts her confidence. Her New Balance partnership, which began at age 14, has produced standout looks, like the green-and-white ensemble at the Berlin Open, where she faced an early exit but “won the style game,” as fans noted.
Gauff’s 2025 season has been a mix of triumphs and challenges. Her French Open victory, where she celebrated with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen trophy, marked her as the youngest American to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 1999. She also reached finals in Madrid and Rome and served as a U.S. flag bearer alongside LeBron James at the Paris Olympics. However, her absence from the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, with no reason disclosed, raised eyebrows, especially after she and other top U.S. women skipped the qualifiers. “I think I just keep some parts of myself to myself,” Gauff has said, valuing privacy amid her rising fame.
As she prepares for the National Bank Open in Montreal, where she’ll face top players like Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, Gauff’s Florida escape was a strategic pause. Her Delray Beach roots, where she still trains among familiar faces, keep her grounded. “The first thing they see when y’all see I play, it says ‘Coco Gauff from Delray Beach, Florida,’ so I got to make sure I represent it right,” she said. With a 10-0 start at the 2024 Australian Open and a fan-favorite status—evident in her “Nicolandria” fandom for *Love Island USA*—Gauff’s mermaid vibes signal a refreshed star ready to make waves in the US Open Series.
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