Coco Gauff experienced a delightful surprise on Saturday morning with the release of rapper Tyler, The Creator’s new single, *Thought I Was Dead*. This track, the third single from his much-anticipated album *Chromakopia*, contains a reference to Gauff that clearly caught her off guard and left her without words.
When Tyler teased *Thought I Was Dead* on social media on October 26, his fans were eager to dissect every line, eager to dive into his signature, witty wordplay. Yet it wasn’t long before one line stood out, especially to tennis enthusiasts and Gauff fans alike. In one of the track’s early verses, Tyler makes a clever play on Gauff’s name and her reputation as one of tennis’s fiercest players, stating:
>”B**ch, you ain’t Coco Gauff, you can’t serve me.”
For the former US Open champion, hearing her name on a track by Tyler, The Creator was nothing short of surreal. Gauff, known to be a fan of the rapper, was one of millions who rushed to click on Tyler’s post to hear the new song. When she finally heard the unexpected shoutout, she took to social media to share her excitement. Sharing the song on her Instagram Stories, Gauff expressed her shock and happiness over the mention, writing, “Me finishing practice to being mentioned on a Tyler song. This is absolutely insane.”
Not stopping there, Gauff continued to share her surprise in the comments under Tyler’s original post, writing: “me waking up today on tyler song wtf.” Fans of both the rapper and the tennis star quickly noticed her comment and shared in her excitement, with many acknowledging what a special moment this was for the 20-year-old athlete. The exchange between the two led to a social media buzz, with fans discussing the crossover between sports and music and how celebrities from different fields continue to inspire one another.
Currently back home in Florida, Gauff is preparing for the season-ending WTA Finals, which will take place in Riyadh. The competition features some of the biggest names in tennis, including Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, and Jessica Pegula, and is set to be a high-stakes event as the world’s best compete for the coveted year-end title. This marks the third consecutive year that Gauff has qualified for the prestigious tournament, underscoring her status as one of the sport’s elite players.
Beyond her athletic prowess, Gauff has always been vocal about her love for music, a passion that helps her unwind amid the pressures of the professional tennis circuit. Whether training in the gym, warming up before a match, or relaxing during her downtime, music has been a constant companion for Gauff. In an interview with the USTA, she explained how listening to music enhances her workouts.
>”Not necessarily an exercise. I just like to listen to music, while doing whatever I’m doing. Yeah, I mean, the bike is calming. It gets repetitive for me, so I do switch it up, between the treadmill and the bike but, as long as I have music, I think it’s the most relaxing,” she shared.
Interestingly, Gauff’s personal life also reflects her connection to music. In an interview with *Vogue* magazine earlier this year, she revealed some details about her boyfriend, an aspiring musician who also happens to be passionate about the arts. Though she’s kept his identity private, Gauff shared that he’s from Atlanta and is preparing to apply to music school to further his artistic career. According to Gauff, he is also keen on acting and plays the guitar.
>”He’s a very nice guy. He’s in school now. He’s about to apply for music school. He wants to be an actor and he plays the guitar. He’s not from Delray. He’s actually from Atlanta,” Gauff revealed in the *Vogue* interview.
This admiration for both her boyfriend’s and Tyler, The Creator’s musical ambitions seems to reinforce her own love of music. With Tyler’s shoutout adding yet another layer of excitement to her journey, fans are curious to see how music might continue to intersect with Gauff’s tennis career. As she gets ready for the intense competition of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, her supporters are left wondering what her next big moment will be—both on and off the court.
Tyler, The Creator’s reference to Gauff is just one instance of how athletes and musicians frequently draw inspiration from one another, often resulting in memorable moments that blur the boundaries between sports and the arts. This moment of acknowledgment from a musical icon like Tyler not only speaks to Gauff’s impact as a world-class athlete but also highlights how far-reaching her influence has become. Fans eagerly await the release of *Chromakopia*, hoping for more tracks that might intertwine the worlds of music and sports, as Tyler once again showcases his unique flair for blending pop culture references into his lyrics.
For Coco Gauff, though, the surprise mention couldn’t have come at a better time, giving her an extra dose of motivation as she heads to Riyadh, ready to make waves and add more trophies to her growing collection.