Coco Gauff, the young American tennis star, recently shared her reflections on living close to the beach while taking a well-deserved break in Florida. At just 20 years old, Gauff has become one of the brightest talents in the tennis world, impressing fans and critics alike with her powerful game and strong mental toughness. After a busy stretch on the WTA tour, she has returned to her home base in Delray Beach, Florida, to recharge before her next big challenge—the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Gauff had an eventful few weeks on the tour, beginning with her impressive performance at the China Open. There, she claimed her second WTA 1000 title, cementing her place as one of the top players in women’s tennis. At the 2024 Wuhan Open, which followed shortly after her triumph in China, Gauff started strong with victories over Viktoriya Tomova, Marta Kostyuk, and Magda Linette. However, her run came to a halt in the semifinals, where she faced the top-seeded Belarusian, Aryna Sabalenka. Despite a tough and hard-fought match, Gauff ultimately fell short, losing in three sets with a final score of 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.
In her post-match press conference after the Wuhan Open, Gauff acknowledged the physical and mental toll the season had taken on her and shared her plans to return home to Florida before heading to Riyadh. “I think I’m going to go home just because it’s been long. I think I’ve been here, like, four weeks. Two weeks is kind of when we have to leave for Riyadh,” she explained, giving her fans insight into her grueling schedule.
Once back in Delray Beach, Gauff took to Instagram to share a glimpse of her seaside lifestyle. The young tennis star expressed her mixed emotions about living near the beach. While she enjoys the proximity to the ocean, she humorously admitted that she’s not a fan of the demanding beach workouts often required for her fitness regime. In her post, she said, “I love living close to the beach, however I do not like beach workouts lolll.” This lighthearted comment struck a chord with many of her followers, as it showed a more relatable side to the professional athlete—one that appreciates the beach’s beauty but isn’t always thrilled about the physical work it sometimes demands.
In addition to the usual rigors of professional tennis, Gauff has had reason to celebrate recently. On March 13, 2024, she marked her 20th birthday, sharing her joy with her fans on social media. On her special day, Gauff posted a serene beachside photo, accompanied by a caption that reflected her love for the ocean. A proud Pisces, Gauff referred to the beach as her “natural habitat,” and the birthday post carried a tone of gratitude. “20! Just a Pisces in her natural habitat,” she wrote. She also expressed how thankful she felt to reach such a milestone, adding, “I’ve been beyond blessed in this life, and I am so thankful to have made it this far. Thank you everyone for all of the b’day wishes.”
Her post was met with an outpouring of love and well-wishes from her fans and fellow athletes. Among those who sent birthday greetings were Los Angeles Sparks player Cameron Brink, legendary basketball star Lisa Leslie, and fellow tennis player Alycia Parks. The warm response from her peers underscores the respect and admiration Gauff has earned within the sports community, not just for her talent on the court but for her humility and grace off it.
Looking ahead, Gauff’s focus is now on the 2024 WTA Finals, set to take place from November 2 to 9 in Riyadh. She will compete alongside a stellar lineup that includes Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, Zheng Qinwen, and Barbora Krejčíková. Swiatek, the reigning champion, will be defending her title after a dominant performance in 2023, where she crushed Pegula in the final, 6-1, 6-0.
For Gauff, the upcoming WTA Finals represent another opportunity to showcase her growing maturity as a player and her ability to compete against the best in the world. She has already achieved so much at a young age, and with her recent success on tour, many believe that the best is yet to come for the American star. As she continues to grow both personally and professionally, fans will no doubt be eagerly watching to see what new heights Coco Gauff will reach in the coming years.
For now, though, she is taking a moment to relax, recharge, and enjoy the simple pleasures of home—beach workouts and all.