Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and 2025 French Open champion, brought her signature wit to the forefront during a lighthearted moment at the National Bank Open in Montreal, where she cheekily “replaced” her boyfriend, Jalen Sera, with fellow American tennis star Jessica Pegula as her ideal on-tour partner. The 21-year-old’s playful banter, delivered during a fan Q&A session, highlighted her close bond with Pegula while poking fun at their occasionally rocky friendship. Despite her early exit in the round of 16 to Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko, Gauff’s off-court charisma stole the show, offering a glimpse into her vibrant personality as she navigates the pressures of the WTA tour.
The moment came when Gauff was asked, “If you have to couple up with one tennis player, past or present, who are you picking and why?” Caught off guard, she hesitated, acknowledging her relationship with Sera, an Atlanta-based aspiring actor and musician. “You know I am in a relationship, but actually, I will couple up with Jess Pegula,” Gauff declared with a grin. Explaining her choice, she added, “I have played with her, we have the good time. You know, she ditches me a lot. We are supposed to go to movies and stuff, she doesn’t ever respond to my text. But I believe in second, third, fourth, fifth chances.” Her quip about Pegula’s flakiness drew laughter, with Gauff optimistically noting, “Maybe the sixth time is the charm with her.” The exchange underscored their playful dynamic, a friendship that has weathered humorous jabs and mutual snubs.
This wasn’t the first time Gauff called out Pegula’s elusive nature. Earlier in the season, during a media interaction in Berlin, Gauff recounted a failed movie plan, saying, “This girl invited me to go to the movies. I said let me know when you wanna go and she never responded so she’s fake.” Pegula, the world No. 4 and defending Montreal champion, inadvertently fueled the banter when she forgot to name Gauff among her closest WTA friends during a press conference in Germany. Listing Madison Keys, Jennifer Brady, and Desirae Krawczyk, Pegula caught her oversight and burst into laughter, saying, “Oh yeah, Coco, sorry, I forgot her. Don’t put that out because she is going to be mad at me.” The gaffe, coupled with Gauff’s Montreal retort, has cemented their status as one of the tour’s most entertaining friendships.
Gauff and Pegula’s bond extends beyond banter to on-court collaboration, having teamed up for doubles at the 2023 US Open and other events. Their chemistry, marked by infectious laughter and shared American pride, contrasts with their competitive singles encounters, where Pegula leads 2-1, including a 6-4, 6-3 win in the 2024 Miami Open. Gauff’s Montreal campaign, though cut short by Mboko’s 6-1, 6-4 upset, showcased her grit, as she battled through a three-set win over Danielle Collins despite 23 double faults. “The goal of the match is to survive and advance. I’m not at my best, but for today it’s enough,” Gauff said after that match, reflecting her ability to find positives amid challenges.
Off the court, Gauff’s relationship with Sera, whom she confirmed dating in June 2025 during a BOSE promotional video, remains a grounding force. The couple, together since 2023, celebrated their second anniversary after Gauff’s French Open victory. Sera, a former student of Gauff’s mother, Candi, has been a constant supporter, calling her a “warrior” after her Italian Open semifinal win and hyping her Oscars look with “Regal 💫” on Instagram. Gauff values his non-tennis perspective, saying, “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.” Their playful social media exchanges, like Gauff teasing Sera’s photo choices during a Florida canoe trip—“No sunset pic”—highlight their easygoing dynamic.
As Gauff prepares for the Cincinnati Open, her Montreal moment with Pegula adds a layer of charm to her burgeoning legacy. Balancing fierce competition with heartfelt camaraderie, Gauff’s ability to laugh off Pegula’s “ditching” tendencies while cherishing their friendship underscores her relatability. With the US Open on the horizon, fans eagerly await more of Gauff’s on-court brilliance and off-court wit, whether she’s partnering with Pegula or playfully snubbing Sera for her “fake” bestie.
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