Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old tennis superstar and world No. 3, is no stranger to the spotlight, with two Grand Slam titles and a relentless drive that has made her a household name. But as she powered through her opening match at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal on July 30, defeating Danielle Collins in a thrilling three-setter, her heart was also with her younger brother, Codey Gauff, who’s carving out his own path in baseball. Just hours before Coco took to the court at IGA Stadium, Codey, a 17-year-old rising star, was celebrated for his latest achievements, prompting heartfelt reactions from both Coco and their mother, Candi Gauff, on social media. The Gauff family’s athletic dynasty is in full swing, and their unwavering support for each other is stealing the show.
Codey, a switch-hitting catcher and outfielder, has been turning heads in the baseball world with his standout performances. Playing for the East Coast Sox 2026 National team, he recently competed at the Perfect Game 2025 National Showcase, where he recorded an impressive 1.84-second pop time—tying for the best among Southeastern Conference catchers—measuring the speed from receiving a pitch to throwing to second base. Candi, a former track and field star at Florida State University, couldn’t contain her pride, resharing a post on her Instagram story with two heart emojis, a silent but powerful nod to her son’s growing prowess. Coco, fresh off her Montreal victory, joined in, posting a clip of Codey’s explosive swing with the caption, “Codey mf gauff 😤 @codeygauff,” a playful yet fierce endorsement of her brother’s talent.
The Gauff family’s celebration comes on the heels of Codey’s commitment to the University of Missouri’s NCAA Division I baseball program, set to begin in fall 2025. “So proud of you codey! Beyond happy for you!” Coco wrote last October when Codey announced his decision, a milestone that also drew praise from their father, Corey, a former Georgia State basketball player. “Congratulations son!! Super proud of you,” Candi posted, while Corey added, “That work 🔥🔥 another step in direction you goals and dreams … I am proud and just know I’m riding with you always.” Codey’s journey has been marked by accolades, including a spot in the Minority Baseball Prospects Futures All-American game and an invitation to the MLB and USA Baseball DREAM Series, cementing his status as a top 2026 prospect.
For Coco, Codey’s success is a source of inspiration and grounding. “My brothers Codey and Cameron are definitely my biggest support, and they always root for me. And humble me,” she told *Vogue* earlier this year. “When I do well, they’re still going to make fun of me. And when I do bad, they’re still going to make fun of me.” This sibling dynamic, filled with love and lighthearted teasing, keeps Coco grounded amid the pressures of professional tennis. After her 2025 French Open triumph over Aryna Sabalenka, Coco credited her brothers as her “why,” saying on *Good Morning America*, “Codey always reminds me of the belief and kind of having that cockiness. Cameron always reminds me to just be joyful in the things I do.” Codey, unable to attend her Paris victory due to a baseball tournament in Carolina, had his team watching, with Corey noting, “He had his whole team watching…no bigger supporter.”
The Gauffs’ athletic roots run deep. Corey and Candi, married for over 20 years, instilled a love for sports in their three children, with Coco choosing tennis, Codey embracing baseball, and 12-year-old Cameron dabbling in tennis, basketball, and football. “Coco chose what she wanted to do very early on,” Corey told USA Baseball. “Codey played football for a little bit and some basketball, kind of arriving at baseball a little bit later in life than Coco did with tennis, but they both worked really hard growing up.” Candi, who saw Coco’s potential when she “got up out of her stroller and just started running” at a track practice, has been a constant presence, from Coco’s 2023 U.S. Open win to Codey’s home runs with the San Diego Padres scout team.
As Coco navigates the WTA 1000 event in Montreal, where she’s a top seed with a $752,275 champion’s prize at stake, her family’s support remains her backbone. Codey’s recent Instagram post, captioned “summer ball 🖤,” showcased his grit—images of him sprinting, diving, and crushing pitches, including a childhood throwback that highlighted his journey. Candi’s clapping emojis and Coco’s enthusiastic reposts reflect a family united in their pursuit of excellence. Despite Coco’s early Wimbledon exit to Dayana Yastremska, her Montreal run signals a strong start to the hard-court season, with the Cincinnati Open and U.S. Open looming. Meanwhile, Codey’s ascent, from the Elite Squad Academy to Mizzou, suggests the Gauffs may soon boast two household names in sports.
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