In the vibrant pulse of Miami’s nightlife, where the air hums with basslines and the skyline twinkles like a distant constellation, tennis prodigy Coco Gauff found a rare pocket of serenity amid her whirlwind career. With the grueling season behind her—marked by fierce battles on clay and hard courts—and the WTA Finals looming on the horizon, the 21-year-old American sensation is making every moment of her downtime count. Over the weekend, she traded her racket for rhythm, immersing herself in the electric atmosphere of the III Points Music Festival alongside her boyfriend, Jalen Sera. What started as a casual escape has blossomed into a snapshot of joy, capturing the couple lost in the music, their faces illuminated by stage lights and shared smiles.
The festival, a cornerstone of Miami’s cultural calendar since its inception in 2013, unfolded across two sun-soaked days at Mana Wynwood, transforming the industrial district into a sonic playground. Headliners like Thundercat, Four Tet, and Disclosure commanded the stages, drawing thousands of fans eager for a blend of electronic beats, jazz-infused grooves, and boundary-pushing performances. For Gauff, a Florida native whose life has long revolved around the precision of volleys and the roar of crowds at Roland Garros or Flushing Meadows, this was a welcome detour. Photos from the event show her swaying to Thundercat’s bass-heavy set, her signature curls bouncing as she absorbs the neo-soul vibes. Captured in candid shots, Gauff appears utterly at ease, arms raised in delight, a far cry from the intense focus she channels during a three-set thriller.
Jalen Sera, the aspiring musician and actor whose low-key charm has become a steady anchor in Gauff’s high-stakes world, was right by her side. The Atlanta-born 22-year-old, with his easy grin and effortless style, posted his own glimpse from the concert—a blurry, euphoric shot of the stage that hinted at their tandem adventure. It’s these subtle synchronizations that speak volumes about their bond. Since going public with their relationship in June 2025, during a heartfelt BOSE promotional video marking their second anniversary, the pair has navigated the spotlight with grace. In that video, Gauff gushed, “He’s the absolute coolest person ever… I love you,” her words a tender public declaration after years of quiet companionship. Sera, in turn, has been her unflinching cheerleader, from whispering encouragement before Grand Slam finals to celebrating her triumphs with understated pride.
This isn’t the couple’s first dance with festival magic. Just last November, they turned heads at the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in Los Angeles, founded by Tyler, The Creator—a spot that holds extra sparkle for Gauff after the rapper name-dropped her in his track “Thought I Was Dead.” “That was really cool. I was not expecting it,” she reflected later, her voice bubbling with surprise during a WTA media session. “It was crazy because he DM’d me congratulations over China Open. We never talked or anything before.” Snapping a group photo amid the festival’s colorful chaos, Gauff and Sera stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their connection evident even in the crowd. These outings underscore a deliberate choice: to weave normalcy into the fabric of fame. For Gauff, whose 2025 season included a valiant run to the French Open final, a quarterfinal finish at the Australian Open, and deep pushes at WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome, such breaks are lifelines.
What makes Sera’s presence so vital, Gauff has shared, is his vantage point outside the tennis bubble. In a candid 2024 chat with Time magazine, she opened up about the relief it brings: “This is my first real relationship. To just have someone to talk to who is not involved in tennis at all gives me a fresh perspective.” It’s a sentiment that echoes through their story. During the nail-biting 2023 U.S. Open, where Gauff clinched her maiden Grand Slam singles title, nerves threatened to unravel her. Sera stayed on the line until 1 a.m., his voice a soothing counterpoint to the pressure. “Last night, I started a little bit, but honestly, I just called my boyfriend,” she recounted post-victory. “And I told him let’s talk until it’s time to go to sleep so we spoke until 1:00 am and then I went to sleep.” Fast-forward to this year, and the pattern holds. After her grueling 3.5-hour semifinal marathon at the Italian Open, Sera’s one-word Instagram Story—”Warrior”—landed like a perfectly timed drop shot, quiet yet profound.
Their dynamic extends beyond the courtside and concert stages. At the 2025 Oscars in March, where Gauff dazzled in a jewel-encrusted yellow Miu Miu gown—making her red carpet debut alongside her mother, Candi—Sera’s reactions lit up social media. “Regal,” he posted over a photo of her poised elegance, followed by “THE star. Like come on man.” It’s this blend of support and space that has endeared them to fans, who admire Gauff’s ability to compartmentalize. Even a mid-match injury forcing her Wimbledon withdrawal in July couldn’t dim his steadiness; he was there, virtually and emotionally, as she plotted her comeback.
As the III Points festivities wrapped, with echoes of Thundercat’s North American tour—kicking off in Atlanta on October 15 and snaking through Philly, D.C., Brooklyn, Chicago, and Toronto—still lingering, Gauff turned her gaze forward. The WTA Finals in Riyadh await, a prestigious year-end showcase where she’ll vie against the world’s elite for supremacy. Yet, in these festival-fueled interludes, Gauff reveals the fuller portrait of a champion: one who rallies not just on clay but in the cadence of life. With Sera’s hand in hers, vibing to the unspoken lyrics of their shared world, she’s reminding everyone that even aces need a beat to breathe. Whether it’s the thrum of Miami’s beats or the hush of a late-night call, Gauff’s break is more than respite—it’s recharge, a harmonious prelude to the battles ahead.
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