For quite some time, tennis fans have been intrigued by the relationship status of American tennis prodigy Coco Gauff. Despite Gauff being tight-lipped about her personal life, the speculation surrounding her romantic connections has been hard to shake off, especially with many fans linking her with fellow American tennis player Ben Shelton. A recent incident involving the two during the Eisenhower Cup has reignited these rumors, bringing fresh attention to their dynamic.
Gauff, who recently skyrocketed to international fame after her victory at the 2023 US Open, has always been a subject of curiosity for fans, both on and off the court. As a result, even the smallest interaction between her and Shelton tends to fuel widespread speculation. Both Gauff and Shelton have repeatedly denied any romantic involvement, emphasizing their strong but platonic friendship. Nevertheless, fans remain unconvinced, and the internet has become a breeding ground for various theories surrounding their connection.
Ben Shelton has consistently addressed the rumors, even going so far as to call Gauff his “little sister.” Despite these clarifications, fans have continued to interpret their interactions as hints of something more. The most recent spark in the rumor mill came during the Eisenhower Cup, where Shelton was seen facetiming Gauff while waiting for matches between Frances Tiafoe and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Shelton, seemingly in high spirits, showed Gauff around the court during their video call, a move that set social media buzzing once again with dating rumors.
The ongoing speculation surrounding Gauff’s relationship status can be traced back to her remarks during a post-match interview after her stunning US Open victory in 2023. Gauff revealed that she had spoken to her boyfriend the night before the final, sharing how the conversation had helped calm her nerves. “Honestly, 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 a.m., and then I went to sleep,” Gauff shared. This admission left fans eager to know the identity of her secret boyfriend, with many jumping to the conclusion that it could be Shelton, given their close friendship and camaraderie on tour.
However, Gauff’s comments in a later interview with Vogue helped clarify the situation, as she described her boyfriend as someone outside of the tennis world. She revealed that she was dating musician Jalen Sera, further dispelling the Shelton rumors. “He’s a very nice guy. He’s in school now. He’s about to apply for music school. He wants to be an actor, and he plays the guitar,” Gauff shared. Her revelation about Sera’s identity seemingly put an end to the dating rumors surrounding Shelton and Gauff — at least for a while.
Despite Gauff’s clarification, the gossip persisted, fueled in part by playful interactions between the two athletes. Shelton, for his part, also addressed the situation head-on during a GQ interview last year. In the interview, the 21-year-old rising ATP star spoke about his close bond with Gauff but reiterated that it was purely a sibling-like relationship. “No! Not a big sister, not at all. Coco is a little sister to me!” Shelton said, reinforcing the idea that their relationship was far from romantic.
However, it seems that no amount of clarification can fully squash the rumor mill. Shelton’s actions at the Eisenhower Cup, including the facetime call with Gauff, led fans to once again speculate about their relationship. Social media platforms lit up with tennis fans expressing curiosity about the duo’s dynamic. One fan even questioned whether they were genuinely facetiming each other or if it was all part of an inside joke.
But the reality appears to be far less dramatic. Shelton is in a long-term relationship with professional heptathlete Anna Well, which he publicly confirmed through an Instagram post back in November 2021. Meanwhile, Gauff continues to date musician Jalen Sera. Despite this, some fans seem unconvinced and remain determined to link the two tennis stars. One particularly persistent fan commented that the facetiming incident only added fuel to the fire, making it even harder to believe they weren’t dating.
This isn’t the first time Gauff and Shelton’s friendly banter has led to public speculation about their relationship. Earlier in 2023, during the Madrid Open, the two engaged in a lighthearted exchange on social media that had fans talking. Shelton posted a picture of himself training on the clay courts, and Gauff teased him about his long hair. Shelton fired back with a playful jab about Gauff’s hair, and the two shared a laugh over the interaction. While this type of exchange might seem innocent, it was enough to send fans into a frenzy, further fueling dating rumors.
Even though both Gauff and Shelton have repeatedly stated that they are dating other people, their close friendship and public interactions seem to keep fans guessing. Tennis enthusiasts, it seems, aren’t ready to let go of the possibility that there could be more to their relationship than they are letting on. But for now, the two athletes appear to be enjoying their strong bond as friends, frequently engaging in lighthearted banter and supporting each other’s careers on and off the court.
So, what do you make of the ongoing speculation surrounding Gauff and Shelton’s relationship? Despite their denials, fans seem determined to see a romance between the two, even as they maintain strong relationships with other people. Could their tight-knit friendship be misunderstood, or are fans simply reading too much into their playful dynamic? Either way, one thing is clear: both Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton will continue to be the subject of much discussion and intrigue in the tennis world, whether they like it or not.