Coco Gauff recently celebrated a major off-court highlight: getting a shout-out on Tyler, The Creator’s new track, “Thought I Was Dead,” from his *Chromokopia* album. Gauff, who has been making waves as one of tennis’s most exciting young stars, revealed that she never expected the acknowledgment from the acclaimed rapper and producer, but it has been an exciting moment for her. At her pre-tournament press conference for the WTA Finals, Gauff opened up about the unexpected mention, her admiration for Tyler, and even a surprising prediction from her boyfriend about the shout-out.
After winning the China Open, one of her most significant titles in 2024, Gauff received a congratulatory message from Tyler, The Creator. It caught her off guard as she hadn’t had direct interactions with him before, apart from admiring his work from afar. Gauff shared her surprise at receiving the message, saying, “That was crazy. I’ve been a fan of Tyler since I was 14. I saw him perform live when I was 15 for the first time. I went to his music festival last year and have tickets to go again this year. Hopefully, he performs that song—it would be pretty cool to see it live.”
The 20-year-old, currently the World No. 3, recounted how much Tyler’s music has been part of her life over the years, with his artistry and unique voice resonating with her from a young age. For Gauff, the connection with Tyler, even just as a fan, felt special, and getting an actual mention on one of his songs was beyond what she ever anticipated. “It was really cool. I wasn’t expecting it at all. It was crazy because, like, he DM’d me ‘congratulations’ after the China Open. We hadn’t talked before that, though he liked my photo or something after I won the US Open,” Gauff explained.
But what really made the moment surreal was the prophecy from her boyfriend. Shortly after Tyler’s message, her boyfriend remarked that Tyler might give her a mention in one of his songs. Gauff brushed it off, assuming it was just a joke. But only three weeks later, the track dropped with her name in it, turning the seemingly far-fetched prediction into reality. Reflecting on it, she laughed, “Then my boyfriend says, ‘Watch, he’s going to drop you in a song.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, that would be insane. That’s never going to happen.’ And then three weeks later, it happened. I was like, ‘Can he see into the future or what?’”
Beyond her recent music shout-out, Gauff also talked about celebrating Halloween amidst her rigorous tournament schedule. Halloween has always been a favorite holiday for her, giving her a chance to dress up and embrace the festivities. However, with the WTA Finals starting in Saudi Arabia right after Halloween, Gauff had to prepare her costume photos early, taking pictures well in advance to join in on the holiday fun. This year, she teamed up with her younger brother, Cameron, to dress as the Marvel superhero duo Deadpool and Wolverine. Fans on social media loved the sibling collaboration, and her costume choice brought an added layer of enjoyment to her Halloween.
Gauff admitted that she was disappointed to miss out on Halloween itself and regretted not having time to prepare multiple costumes, which has been her tradition in previous years. “This is the first year in a while that I’ve only done one costume. I was just so busy—I don’t have as much time as everybody else. I had to take the pictures a week and a half, two weeks in advance because I’m here,” she explained. “Best believe, if I really had until the 31st, I’d have more costumes.”
With her off-court accomplishments garnering attention, Gauff is now turning her focus to her matches in Riyadh. The WTA Finals marks the culmination of a stellar season in which she has claimed major titles, including the US Open, and climbed to third in the world rankings. As she prepares for her matches, Gauff finds herself in a competitive group with Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and Barbora Krejcikova. Each of these players brings their own strengths to the court, making for an intense group stage in the season’s final tournament.
Gauff will face Swiatek, a former world No. 1, who has also had a remarkable season. Their matchup is highly anticipated, as both players have demonstrated incredible resilience and skill throughout the year. Jessica Pegula, Gauff’s compatriot and doubles partner, presents another challenge, as the two friends often push each other to deliver their best on the court. Lastly, Krejcikova, known for her versatility and tactical play, rounds out a formidable group for Gauff, setting the stage for high-stakes matches as each player vies for the season-ending title.
Gauff’s journey from tennis courts to music references and Halloween festivities speaks to her multifaceted personality and her ability to balance the rigors of professional sports with moments of personal joy and celebration. From her long-standing admiration for Tyler, The Creator to her festive spirit and her competitive drive on the court, Coco Gauff continues to capture the world’s attention. With her focus now firmly set on the WTA Finals, Gauff is ready to finish her remarkable season on a high note, hoping to add another prestigious title to her already impressive list of achievements in 2024.