Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis sensation, has once again captured the spotlight at the 2025 French Open, storming into her fifth consecutive quarterfinal at Roland Garros with a commanding 6-0, 7-5 victory over Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova. The world No. 2, known for her relentless baseline game and maturing poise, has been a force on the Parisian clay, not dropping a single set en route to the last eight. Yet, amidst her on-court triumphs, a subtle but significant change in her support system has drawn attention: her father, Corey Gauff, is no longer a fixture in her players’ box. After her latest win, Gauff opened up about the heartfelt reason behind his absence, revealing a decision rooted in family dynamics and her need for positivity during high-stakes matches.
Corey Gauff, who was Coco’s primary coach until mid-2023, played a pivotal role in shaping her into one of tennis’s brightest stars. Inspired by Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, Corey introduced Coco to the sport and guided her early career, leading her to a world No. 1 junior ranking and a historic Wimbledon debut in 2019. However, after a shock first-round loss at Wimbledon 2023, Coco and her father mutually agreed he should step back from both coaching and watching her matches from the players’ box. “He has some reactions where if I look in the box I want positivity and I will see him go like this [head in hand] or [slap his thigh],” Gauff shared during a candid moment at the TNT Sports desk. “He does not mean it. So after Wimbledon I lost first round and was like okay Dad, we both agreed that you shouldn’t sit in the box. We can go at it, because I just can’t with the reactions.”
This decision, born out of a desire to maintain a positive mental space, has coincided with a remarkable run of success. Since Corey’s departure from the players’ box, Gauff has clinched titles in Washington D.C., Cincinnati, and the 2023 US Open, where she became the first American teenager since Serena Williams to win the tournament. “He does it with my brothers too! They are like don’t sit right behind me too,” Gauff added, noting that Corey’s animated reactions extend to her younger brothers, Cody and Cameron, who play football and baseball. “After that I won DC, Cinci[nnati] and the US Open. He is a kind of superstitious guy so he was like okay whatever!” Her father now watches from suites or paces around the stadium, a habit he began during the 2023 US Open, where Coco noted he was “doing laps around the stadium” to calm his nerves.
While Corey’s absence from the box is noticeable, his influence remains profound. “My dad is still sending me scouting reports for every match,” Gauff said, highlighting his continued involvement behind the scenes. During the 2023 US Open, she credited him as the driving force behind her success, saying, “That man has supported me through so much. People always tried to tear us apart, saying he didn’t need to be in my box or he didn’t need to coach me anymore. Little do they know, he’s the reason I won this match.” Her mother, Candi, has taken on the role of the steady presence in the players’ box, offering the calm support Coco craves. “My mom is more so just being mom,” Gauff noted, emphasizing Candi’s ability to internalize her nerves, unlike Corey’s expressive demeanor.
The shift in family dynamics reflects Coco’s growing independence as she navigates her career. Since hiring coaches Pere Riba and Brad Gilbert in 2023, she has embraced a more professionalized team, allowing her to take the reins of her tennis journey. “My parents have continued to be my advocates,” she said, acknowledging their role in helping her new coaches understand her needs. This evolution has paid dividends, with Gauff reaching finals in Madrid and Rome in 2025 and winning the 2024 Roland Garros doubles title alongside Katerina Siniakova. Her ability to problem-solve on court, evident in her tactical adjustments against Alexandrova, showcases her maturity.
As Gauff prepares for her quarterfinal clash against Madison Keys, her focus remains unwavering. Corey’s absence from the box, while initially a practical decision, has become a superstitious ritual, one he jokingly maintains after her string of successes. “Wimbledon was probably the last time I’ll ever see him in my box,” Gauff quipped at the 2024 Australian Open, a sentiment she reiterated in Paris. Yet, his emotional support, whether from a suite or pacing the stadium grounds, continues to fuel her drive. With her family’s love and her own burgeoning confidence, Gauff is not just chasing titles—she’s redefining her path to greatness.
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