“I was like, ‘I’m getting too addicted'” – Coco Gauff reveals reason why she deleted Twitter from her phone as tennis ‘drama’ looms

At just 21, Coco Gauff has already conquered Grand Slams, but her latest challenge is taming the addictive pull of social media. The world No. 2 and 2025 French Open champion revealed at the 2025 Cincinnati Open that she deleted Twitter from her phone to curb an unhealthy obsession with the platform’s endless scroll. “I was like, ‘I’m getting too addicted,’” Gauff confessed during a press conference on August 10, 2025, her candid admission highlighting a conscious effort to prioritize mental clarity as she navigates the high-stakes North American hard-court season. With the US Open on the horizon and whispers of “tennis drama” swirling, Gauff’s decision to step back from Twitter underscores her maturity in managing fame’s pressures while staying true to her roots.

Gauff’s relationship with social media has always been a balancing act. As a Gen Z star with 1.7 million Instagram followers, she thrives on connecting with fans, often sharing glimpses of her life—like her recent Florida getaway where she swam near an alligator, captioning it, “Just a Floridian Pisces in her natural habitat 🧜🏾‍♀️✨.” But Twitter, with its rapid-fire debates and occasional toxicity, proved too consuming. “I deleted it because I found myself checking it too much, getting caught up in the noise,” she explained, noting that the platform’s algorithm seemed to amplify negativity, even on her burner accounts. Her choice to disconnect reflects a broader strategy to shield her mental health, a topic she’s championed since facing online abuse, including death threats and racist comments, earlier in her career. “It’s tough because you hear a lot of nasty things,” she once said, emphasizing her reliance on the block button to maintain a positive online space.

The “tennis drama” Gauff alluded to remains unspecified, but the sport’s rumor mill suggests tensions among players or fan-driven controversies on platforms like Twitter, where she’s previously called out detractors. In 2023, after her US Open win, she declared, “I know y’all’s usernames. I know who’s talking trash,” a bold response to critics that showcased her awareness of the platform’s undercurrents. Now, as she prepares for her third-round Cincinnati match against Dayana Yastremska, Gauff is focusing on her game rather than online chatter. Her 6-3, 6-2 rout of Wang Xinyu in the second round, where she converted all five break points, signals her readiness to defend her 2023 Cincinnati title. “I felt in control from the start,” she said, her confidence bolstered by a 31-10 season record and a recent Canadian Open doubles title with McCartney Kessler.

Gauff’s decision to ditch Twitter aligns with her broader approach to mental resilience, a cornerstone of her rise from teen prodigy to global star. Her 2025 season, highlighted by Roland Garros and WTA Finals triumphs, has solidified her as a lock for the WTA Race to Riyadh, where she trails only Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. Yet, her Montreal round-of-16 loss to Clara Tauson was a reminder of the need to stay focused. By stepping away from Twitter, Gauff avoids distractions like the platform’s recent buzz around “Alcaranu”—the nickname for Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz’s mixed doubles pairing at the US Open. “I’m just trying to keep my head down and play my tennis,” Gauff noted, her discipline echoing advice from mentors like Serena Williams, whom she counts as a contact and inspiration.

As Cincinnati’s slower courts test players—prompting complaints from Alexander Zverev—Gauff’s adaptability shines. Her ability to juggle fame, from viral alligator encounters to handling hecklers like those who targeted Luke Littler in darts, showcases her poise. Fans have rallied behind her choice, with one social media post declaring, “Coco’s protecting her peace, and we love to see it!” With the US Open looming, where she won in 2023, Gauff’s Twitter detox is a strategic move to stay grounded. Whether facing Yastremska or chasing another WTA 1000 title, the Delray Beach native is proving that sometimes, the best way to win is to tune out the noise and let her racket do the talking.