Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old tennis prodigy and world No. 3, has never been one to shy away from her Christian faith, even when it sparks controversy. Fresh off a runner-up finish at the 2025 Madrid Open, where she boldly thanked “my lord and savior Jesus Christ” during her trophy presentation speech, Gauff faced a wave of online criticism for her open expressions of belief. Now, as she prepares for the Italian Open in Rome, the American star has addressed her detractors with unwavering conviction, defending her right to share her faith while emphasizing her respect for others’ beliefs. “I’m not out here trying to force anybody to believe in anything,” Gauff declared in a press conference. “I share my beliefs for people who also believe in it, as well.”
Gauff’s faith has been a cornerstone of her journey since her meteoric rise at age 15, when she stunned Venus Williams at Wimbledon. After her Madrid final loss to Aryna Sabalenka (6-3, 7-6(3)), she stood on center court and expressed gratitude, saying, “First, I’d like to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ to be here and the opportunity to play in the final.” The remark, consistent with her post-match speeches since her WTA debut, drew mixed reactions. While many fans praised her authenticity, others on social media argued she should keep her faith separate from her tennis career. Unfazed, Gauff used a Rome press conference to clarify her stance. “Yeah, it’s super important for me. I’ve said it in every speech. I know there’s like a whole discourse about it online, but I’ve done it every speech that I’ve been on tour,” she said, highlighting her consistency.
The criticism isn’t new. After her 2023 US Open triumph, Gauff’s on-court prayer sparked debate, with some accusing her of imposing her beliefs. Former NFL coach Tony Dungy defended her, noting, “She has been very open about her Christian faith in the past.” Gauff, a member of Saint John Missionary Baptist Church in Boynton Beach, Florida, sees her faith as a source of resilience, especially during a challenging 2025 season marked by early exits in Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami. Her Madrid run, including a stunning semifinal upset over Iga Swiatek, showcased her clay-court prowess, yet she credits her spiritual grounding for navigating setbacks. “Yeah, I think for me you come to a point where you start criticizing people for saying anything, whether it’s religion, or pride in their sexuality or anything like that, that’s a bit of censorship,” she said, pushing back against what she sees as unfair scrutiny.
Gauff’s remarks resonate beyond tennis, touching on broader debates about personal expression in public spaces. Her faith, evident in social media posts like her Good Friday message—“Today Jesus sacrifice His life for you and I”—inspires supporters who admire her courage. “I think we all should be able to do what we want to do as long as it’s not harming other people,” she added, advocating for mutual respect. Her approach mirrors her on-court maturity, balancing fierce competitiveness with grace, as seen when she congratulated Sabalenka in Madrid: “You’re always tough to face.”
As Gauff begins her Italian Open campaign on Friday, facing the winner of Arianna Zucchini and Victoria Mboko in the second round, she carries momentum from Madrid and a renewed sense of purpose. Rome holds special significance—she reached the semifinals in 2021 and 2024, both times falling to Swiatek. With the French Open looming, a deep run could solidify her as a Roland Garros favorite. Off the court, her outspoken faith continues to polarize, but Gauff remains steadfast, drawing strength from her beliefs and her supporters, including Andy Roddick, who recently praised her resilience. For Gauff, the boos and critiques are just noise—her focus is on her game and her God, and she’s ready to let both shine in Rome.
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