Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis sensation and world No. 2, traded her tennis racket for cowboy boots in a dazzling appearance at Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour stop in Atlanta on July 14, 2025. Fresh off her triumphant 2025 French Open victory, Gauff embraced the Western theme of the concert with a chic cowgirl-inspired outfit that turned heads and sparked a frenzy on social media. Her boyfriend, Jalen Sera, and mother, Candi Gauff, were quick to shower her with praise, with Sera dropping a playful one-word reaction, “Bang!” on her Instagram post, capturing the electric vibe of their date night. The evening, filled with music, starstruck moments, and heartfelt connections, offered Gauff a joyful respite from a rollercoaster season as she prepares for the US Open.
Gauff’s 2025 has been a tale of soaring highs and unexpected challenges. Kicking off the year with a United Cup title, where she went undefeated and bested Iga Świątek in straight sets, Gauff solidified her status as a Grand Slam contender. Her clay-court season was a standout, culminating in her first Roland Garros singles title, a second Grand Slam to add to her 2023 US Open crown. “There’s definitely a lot of pressure this tournament, but I’m just enjoying it,” Gauff said after a US Open win in 2024, a mindset she carried into her French Open triumph. However, a shocking first-round Wimbledon loss to Dayana Yastremska (7-6(3), 6-1) highlighted the physical and mental demands of her schedule, with consecutive losses in Qatar and Dubai adding to the season’s ups and downs. Despite these setbacks, her 31-10 record and 7-3 mark against top-10 players underscore her resilience and elite skill.
The Atlanta concert was a dream come true for Gauff, a lifelong Beyoncé fan who once drew inspiration from the singer’s Renaissance Tour during her 2023 US Open run. “I cannot believe my life, I am so grateful for it,” Gauff gushed on social media, recounting how Beyoncé waved at her during the show and she met the singer’s mother, Tina Knowles. “Beyoncé waved at me during her show last night & I met the queen, Ms. Tina Knowles!” she wrote, sharing a blurry video that captured her unfiltered excitement. Knowles reciprocated the love, posting, “Such a big Fan of @cocogauff I had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful, talented and very kind Young superstar last night at the Cowboy Carter Concert.” Gauff’s cowgirl look—complete with Western flair that perfectly matched the tour’s aesthetic—drew Sera’s enthusiastic “Bang!” comment, igniting fan excitement. “The boyfriend reveal post French victory!? Coco is up this year,” one fan wrote, while another cheered, “Not you hard launching the bf!”
Gauff and Sera, who have been dating since spring 2023, share a unique bond rooted in their Atlanta roots. Sera, an aspiring musician and actor, was once a fourth-grade student of Candi Gauff, a former track athlete turned educator. “My mom always said, if they’re bad in school, they’re probably bad as adults,” Candi told a reporter, adding, “He’s always been a smart, nice kid.” Their relationship, which Gauff calls her “first real relationship,” thrives on mutual support and shared passions, like their competitive reading challenge—Gauff aims to outpace Sera’s goal of 25 books in 2025. “I’m two books ahead, so I’m winning right now,” she said in Berlin, showcasing their playful dynamic. Sera’s support has been pivotal, notably during the 2023 US Open, where Gauff leaned on late-night calls with him to calm her nerves. “I just called my boyfriend, and I told him let’s talk until it’s time to go to sleep so we spoke until 1:00 a.m.,” she recalled after her title win.
Candi Gauff, a constant presence in Coco’s journey, also celebrated her daughter’s off-court radiance. The mother-daughter duo, who shone together at the 2025 Oscars—where Coco stunned in a yellow Miu Miu gown—share a close bond. Candi’s pride extends to Coco’s younger brothers, Codey, a baseball prodigy who committed to Mizzou University, and Cameron, an aspiring athlete. Sera joined the family in cheering Codey’s milestone, reposting his announcement with “🔥🔥🔥.” Gauff’s ability to balance her high-profile career with personal joys, like singing along to Beyoncé’s hits with Sera, reflects her grounded nature. “To just have someone to talk to who is not involved in tennis at all gives me a fresh perspective,” she said, crediting Sera for keeping her centered.
As Gauff gears up for the Canadian Open and US Open, where she’ll defend her 2023 title, her Atlanta night was a reminder of her ability to shine beyond the court. With her cowgirl chic and infectious joy, Gauff captivated fans, proving she’s as much a star in the stands as she is on the baseline. Her journey, fueled by family, love, and a passion for life, sets the stage for a thrilling hard-court season.
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