In the whirlwind of professional tennis, where the pressure of Grand Slams and global tours can consume even the brightest stars, Coco Gauff, the world number two, knows how to seize the day. After a challenging grass-court season, the 21-year-old American phenom took a well-deserved break to recharge, diving into a world of music, nature, and unexpected thrills in her home state of Florida. Her adventures—ranging from a starstruck encounter at Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour to kayaking among alligators—offered a vibrant glimpse into the life of a champion who balances athletic intensity with an infectious zest for living. As she returned to the court with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over China’s Xinyu Wang in the second round of the Cincinnati Open, Gauff’s off-court escapades revealed the heart and resilience that fuel her rise.
Gauff’s summer has been a rollercoaster. Fresh off her second Grand Slam triumph at the 2025 French Open, where she outlasted Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping final, the young star stumbled on grass, exiting early at Wimbledon and failing to win a set in her two matches. A last-16 finish in Montreal, where she fell to 18-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko, prompted Gauff to step back and reconnect with herself. “It was great. I was home, so I was able to get my life organized from being in Europe basically two months. So, I just felt organized,” she shared in a candid moment after her Cincinnati win. That sense of clarity translated into her performance, where she dispatched Wang in under an hour, showcasing the groundstrokes and composure that make her a global force.
But it was her time away from the court that truly captured fans’ imaginations. Gauff, a lifelong Beyoncé fan and proud member of the “BeyHive,” fulfilled a bucket-list dream by attending the singer’s “Cowboy Carter” tour stop in Atlanta, her birthplace. Dressed in a show-stopping brown leather romper, studded belt, and crystal-starred cowboy hat, Gauff embodied the Western flair of the concert, even catching a personal wave from Beyoncé herself. The moment that left her reeling, though, was meeting Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mother. “Beyoncé waved at me during her show last night & I met the queen, Ms. Tina Knowles! I cannot believe my life, I am so grateful for it,” Gauff posted on X, her excitement palpable. Sharing the VIP section with luminaries like Tyler Perry and Summer Walker only added to the surreal experience, one she described as “really cool” in a conversation with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj.
The adventure didn’t stop there. Gauff, joined by her boyfriend Jalen Sera, ventured into Central Florida’s wild heart for a kayaking trip that turned thrillingly unpredictable. While paddling through the state’s iconic springs, she spotted an alligator nearby—a moment that might have sent others scrambling but left Gauff unfazed. “We went kayaking. I was out there with the gators. I was swimming in the springs and it was great,” she recounted with a laugh, her calm demeanor mirroring the poise she brings to match point. Capturing the encounter on her camera, she shared it playfully on Instagram, captioning a post, “just a floridian pisces in her natural habitat 🧜🏾♀️✨.” Her ability to embrace the moment, alligator and all, underscored her deep connection to her Florida roots and her fearless spirit.
This getaway wasn’t just about fun—it was a reset. After two months in Europe, Gauff needed to “get my life organized,” as she put it, and her time in Florida delivered. From diving and boating to striking chic poses for an impromptu photoshoot by the water, she leaned into her “Floridian Pisces” identity, finding joy in nature and spontaneity. Her posts, which garnered thousands of likes from her 2.2 million Instagram followers, radiated authenticity, earning praise from peers like Billie Jean King Cup teammate Taylor Townsend and skier Eileen Gu. Even a fan suggested she bring her cowboy-inspired style to the US Open, noting, “OK, we need you to wear this to the U.S. Open.”
As Gauff prepares for her next Cincinnati challenge against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, who defeated her on grass earlier this year, she carries the momentum of her recent doubles title in Montreal alongside McCartney Kessler. Despite early serving struggles in Cincinnati, Gauff adapted, noting, “I had a shaky start with the serve but was able to push through and figure that out. I felt good off the ground all week.” Her ability to adjust, both on and off the court, speaks to her growth since her 2023 US Open triumph and her 2020 bout with mental health challenges, which she navigated without formal diagnosis but with her family’s support.
Gauff’s story is one of balance—conquering the tennis world while savoring life’s wild, joyful moments. Whether she’s overpowering opponents, fangirling over Beyoncé, or swimming with alligators, she remains a beacon of authenticity, proving that even global superstars can stay grounded in their roots.
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