Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old tennis prodigy, has been riding a wave of celebration following her historic 2025 French Open victory, but her triumphant return to the United States was marred by a disturbing incident of cybercrime. Just days after defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final to claim her second Grand Slam title, Gauff discovered that her X account had been hacked. The breach, which involved a fraudulent post promoting a fake cryptocurrency, prompted the young star to issue a stern warning to her fans, urging vigilance in the face of online scams. As she navigates the highs of her Roland Garros success and the challenges of this digital intrusion, Gauff’s resilience and poise continue to shine, both on and off the court.
The cyberattack occurred on June 11, 2025, when a post appeared on Gauff’s X account claiming she had launched a memecoin called “Coco’s Token” to support underprivileged youth through sports. The post included a link to a dubious website, “cocostoken.com,” encouraging followers to invest. Gauff quickly recognized the scam and took to Instagram Stories to alert her 1.5 million followers. “My Twitter/X has been hacked,” she wrote, urging fans not to engage with the post or click the suspicious link. “Please wait for updates from me here until it’s fixed!” she added, emphasizing the importance of caution. By June 12, Gauff regained control of her account, posting, “Hi guys.. my account was hacked but I am back. Sorry for the inconvenience 🫶🏾,” reassuring fans that the situation was resolved. The fraudulent post was promptly removed, likely due to swift reporting by her vigilant followers.
Gauff’s French Open victory on June 7, 2025, was a career-defining moment. The 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 win over Sabalenka marked her first Roland Garros title and made her the first American woman to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 2015. “I was going through a lot of dark thoughts,” Gauff reflected, referencing her 2022 final loss to Iga Swiatek. “I’m just glad to be back here. I guess I got the most important win.” Her gritty performance, overcoming a first-set deficit and windy conditions, showcased her mental fortitude. Inspired by rapper Tyler, The Creator’s lyric, “If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying,” Gauff had written “I will be the French Open champion 2025” repeatedly in her notebook the night before the final, a manifestation technique inspired by Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas.
Upon returning to the U.S., Gauff embarked on a whirlwind victory tour, appearing on high-profile media platforms like “Good Morning America” and “TODAY.” She shared the emotional weight of her win, noting, “I just wanted to prove to people that I can do it again,” referencing her 2023 US Open triumph. Her media frenzy was amplified by her status as a cultural icon, with celebrities like Spike Lee and Michelle Obama offering congratulations. However, the cyberattack cast a shadow over her celebrations, highlighting the vulnerabilities even global stars face in the digital age. Gauff’s quick response to the hack, coupled with her transparency, underscored her maturity and commitment to protecting her fans.
The incident also shed light on the broader issue of cybercrime targeting athletes, especially during moments of heightened visibility. Gauff’s warning resonated with fans, many of whom expressed relief on X, with one user noting, “Coco Gauff says her twitter/X has been hacked. Don’t buy anything that is being advertised.” Another quipped, “Winning roland garros doesn’t protect you from gettin’ hacked 😭,” capturing the unexpected nature of the breach. As Gauff prepares for Wimbledon, starting June 30, she remains focused, saying, “I’m trying to soak it in, but I’m ready to get back and start training.” Her ability to balance triumph, adversity, and advocacy—whether on the court or in the digital realm—solidifies her as a role model for a new generation, proving that her influence extends far beyond tennis.
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