Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old tennis superstar and world No. 2, is bringing her signature energy off the court as she gears up for the 2025 US Open series. Known for her fierce forehand and unrelenting spirit, Gauff recently shared a glimpse into her morning routine, revealing that she’s been dancing to Tyler, The Creator’s surprise ninth album, *Don’t Tap The Glass*, at 7 a.m. on her way to practice. The two-time Grand Slam champion’s infectious enthusiasm for the rapper’s latest work underscores a unique bond between the tennis phenom and the Grammy-winning artist, whose music has become a cornerstone of her pre-match rituals. As Gauff prepares for the North American hard-court swing, her vibrant connection to Tyler’s dance-driven beats sets the stage for a season of high stakes and high energy.
On July 21, 2025, Gauff took to Instagram Stories to share her excitement, posting a photo from her car with the track “Sugar on My Tongue” blaring through the speakers. “Lmfao this album got me all excited shaking my hips at 7 am otw to practice lolll,” she wrote, capturing the joyous, carefree vibe of Tyler’s latest project. The 10-track, 28-minute album, released with minimal fanfare, is a departure from the introspective narrative of Tyler’s 2024 release, *Chromakopia*. Instead, *Don’t Tap The Glass* is a celebration of movement, urging listeners to put down their phones and hit the dance floor. Gauff, a longtime fan, has embraced this ethos, letting the album’s funky rhythms fuel her morning drives to training.
Gauff’s connection to Tyler, The Creator, born Tyler Okonma, runs deep. The tennis star has been a devotee since her teens, attending his Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in 2023 and sporting pieces from his Golf Le Fleur fashion line. Their mutual admiration came full circle last year when Tyler name-dropped Gauff in his *Chromakopia* track “Thought I Was Dead,” rapping, “Bitch, you ain’t Coco Gauff, you can’t serve me.” Gauff was thrilled, calling the shoutout “absolutely insane” on social media. “It was crazy because he DM’d me congratulations over China Open,” she said at the 2024 WTA Finals, recounting how her boyfriend predicted the lyrical nod weeks earlier. “I was like, ‘That’s never going to happen.’ Three weeks later, it happened.” The reference inspired her during her 2025 French Open victory speech, where she quoted Tyler’s “St. Chroma” to express her newfound self-belief: “I didn’t think honestly that I could do it. But I’m gonna quote Tyler, The Creator right here. He said, ‘If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying.’”
Tyler’s *Don’t Tap The Glass* arrived with a clear directive: move your body. At a Brooklyn listening party, Tyler described the album as “not made for sitting still,” emphasizing its dance-heavy spirit. “I asked some friends why they don’t dance in public, and some said because of the fear of being filmed,” he shared on Instagram. “It made me wonder how much of our human spirit got killed because of the fear of being a meme.” Gauff, who has faced intense scrutiny as a young Black woman in tennis, resonates with this call to unapologetic expression. Her early-morning dance sessions reflect a defiance of pressure, a way to reclaim joy amid the grind of professional sports.
Gauff’s 2025 season has been a mix of triumphs and challenges. Her French Open win over Aryna Sabalenka, a 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 thriller, marked her second Grand Slam singles title and showcased her resilience. However, a shock first-round exit to Dayana Yastremska at Wimbledon tested her mettle, particularly as she continues to refine her serve under new coach Matt Daly. The US Open, where she won in 2023, looms as a chance to reclaim her dominance on home soil. The Toronto and Cincinnati Masters, key stops in the hard-court swing, offer opportunities to build momentum and defend ranking points. Gauff’s love for Tyler’s music, from *Chromakopia* to *Don’t Tap The Glass*, has been a constant, helping her stay loose and focused. “To just have someone to talk to who is not involved in tennis at all gives me a fresh perspective,” she told TIME about her boyfriend, whose musical interests align with her own.
As Gauff dances her way to practice, she embodies the spirit of *Don’t Tap The Glass*. Tyler’s tracks, like the Busta Rhymes-sampling “Big Poe” and the funky “Don’t You Worry Baby,” are tailor-made for movement, and Gauff is all in. Her connection to the rapper, from concert visits to quoting his lyrics on the sport’s biggest stages, highlights her multifaceted identity as an athlete, fan, and cultural force. With the US Open on the horizon, Gauff’s morning hip-shaking sessions signal a player ready to bring her A-game, both on the court and in the cultural spotlight.
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