In the Gauff household, where athletic excellence runs deep, a wave of pride has swept through despite a challenging moment for tennis star Coco Gauff. While the world No. 3 faced a disheartening first-round exit at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, her younger brother, Codey Gauff, is stealing the spotlight with his burgeoning baseball career. Their mother, Candi Gauff, a former collegiate track and field star, has been a vocal supporter, taking to social media to celebrate Codey’s latest achievement at the 2025 Perfect Game National Showcase. Her heartfelt support, marked by two heart emojis on an Instagram story, underscores the family’s tight-knit bond and their collective passion for sports.
Codey, a 17-year-old switch-hitting catcher, delivered an impressive 1.84-second pop time at the showcase, tying with Christopher Brown from Brentwood, Tennessee, for the best among Southeastern Conference (SEC) catchers. This metric, which measures the time it takes a catcher to receive a pitch and throw to second base to thwart a stolen base attempt, highlights Codey’s elite defensive skills. His performance at the prestigious event, which draws top prospects and scouts, signals his potential as a rising star in baseball. Already committed to the University of Missouri’s NCAA Division I baseball program for the 2026 season, Codey is carving his own path, distinct yet parallel to his sister’s meteoric rise in tennis. “I am super excited to announce that I will be committing to Mizzou University,” Codey shared on Instagram last October, thanking his family, coaches, and faith for his journey. His mother’s pride was palpable, as she commented, “Congratulations son!! Super proud of you.”
The Gauff family’s athletic legacy is no secret. Candi, a former heptathlete at Florida State University, and her husband Corey, a collegiate basketball player at Georgia State, instilled a love for sports in their three children: Coco, Codey, and their youngest, Cameron. While Coco chose tennis, inspired by Venus Williams, and Cameron dabbles in football and tennis, Codey found his calling in baseball. His journey has been marked by standout performances, from crushing home runs at the 17U Ultimate Baseball Championship to earning a spot on the San Diego Padres scout team. At the championship, Codey went 4-for-4 with a single, double, triple, and an RBI, prompting Candi to share the achievement with a red heart emoji, while Coco cheered, “let’s gooo.” These moments reflect the family’s unwavering support, with Coco often crediting her brothers for keeping her grounded. “My brothers Codey and Cameron are definitely my biggest support,” she told Vogue earlier this year, noting how they humble her with playful teasing, win or lose.
Candi’s role as the family’s emotional anchor shines through in her public displays of affection. Whether it’s reposting Codey’s training reels from Elite Squad Baseball or celebrating his inclusion in the Minority Baseball Prospects Futures All-American game, she’s a constant cheerleader. “@codeygauff ❤️❤️❤️ so happy for you!!! Keep grinding! Switch hitting catcher. Let’s go!” she wrote on Instagram, celebrating his home run at a WWBA game. Her support extends beyond Codey to Coco, whom she accompanied during her triumphant 2025 French Open campaign, where Coco became the first American woman since Serena Williams to win at Roland Garros. “It’s great to have my mom. She’s my biggest fan for sure,” Coco said after her 2024 China Open victory, highlighting Candi’s role in easing the pressures of professional tennis.
Despite Coco’s early Wimbledon exit to Anca Todoni, ranked No. 112, the Gauff family remains a beacon of resilience. Coco’s 2025 season had started strongly, with an undefeated run at the United Cup, including a victory over world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, and a French Open title. However, her 6-3, 6-4 loss at Wimbledon was a setback, ending her streak of reaching at least the fourth round in her last three appearances. “The support that I have is amazing,” Coco told Good Morning America, crediting her brothers for inspiring her confidence and joy. Codey, in particular, embodies the “cockiness” she admires, a trait evident in his bold performances on the baseball field.
Corey Gauff, the family patriarch, has also been vocal about his children’s growth. In an interview with USA Baseball, he reflected on their unique paths: “Coco chose what she wanted to do very early on. Codey played football for a little bit and some basketball, kind of arriving at baseball a little bit later in life, but they both worked really hard growing up.” His pride in Codey’s commitment to Missouri, where he’ll join the Tigers under coaches like Max Scherzer’s former mentor, was evident when he celebrated the milestone alongside Candi and Coco.
As Codey prepares for his collegiate career, his family’s support remains his foundation. From Coco’s playful Instagram stories—where she jokingly lamented Codey’s rare photo ops with her—to Candi’s heartfelt posts, the Gauffs are a testament to familial unity. Codey’s recent feats, including a 6.68-second 60-yard dash and 85 mph exit velocity, have earned him a PG 9-grade rating from Perfect Game, cementing his status as a top 2026 prospect. With the Gauff family cheering him on, Codey’s journey promises to add another chapter to their sporting dynasty, proving that talent and heart run deep in Delray Beach.
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