Tennis star Coco Gauff is gearing up for an exciting year in 2024, with one eye on the Paris Olympics in July, where she’ll represent the United States in the tennis tournament. But as she prepares for the biggest sporting event of the year, she’s also drawing strength from the support of someone special—her boyfriend, whose identity has remained largely a mystery to the public, even though Gauff has shared a few personal details about him.
In June, the United States Tennis Association confirmed that Gauff had secured a spot on the roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will run from July 27 to August 4. For the 19-year-old tennis sensation, the upcoming Games are yet another major milestone in what has already been a remarkable career. However, while much attention has been placed on her tennis achievements, Gauff’s personal life has also been under scrutiny, particularly regarding her relationship with her mystery boyfriend.
While Gauff has chosen not to reveal his full identity, she did open up to *TIME* magazine in an April cover story, where she shared that the two had been dating for about a year. In the interview, Gauff mentioned that this was her first serious relationship and expressed how important it was to have someone in her life who wasn’t involved in tennis.
“This is my first real relationship,” Gauff told *TIME*. “To just have someone to talk to who is not involved in tennis at all gives me a fresh perspective.” She explained that her relationship allows her to step away from the pressures of professional tennis and gain new insights that help her in both her personal and athletic life.
Even though Gauff has kept the details of her relationship private, she’s offered a few clues about her boyfriend. Here’s what we know so far about the man who has captured the heart of one of the world’s top tennis players:
### He’s from Atlanta
Both Gauff and her boyfriend are from Atlanta, Georgia. She confirmed this to *Vogue* in March and later reiterated it to *TIME* in April. This shared hometown seems to be an important part of their connection. Atlanta, a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, was also where Gauff grew up, watching tennis legends like Venus and Serena Williams dominate the sport. The Williams sisters were a massive inspiration for Gauff, who, as a young girl, saw them break barriers in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by white athletes.
“As a little girl, it was very important to see representation and see myself in players, especially in the field where it is predominantly white,” Gauff said. “I don’t think I would have had the belief I could do it if it wasn’t for them.” Her connection to Atlanta runs deep, and it seems that her boyfriend shares this common background, further strengthening their bond.
### Her mom was his fourth grade teacher
An interesting tidbit about Gauff’s boyfriend is that her mother, Candi Gauff, was his fourth-grade teacher. This fact adds another layer to their relationship, as it highlights how intertwined their families are. Candi Gauff, who has been a major influence in Coco’s life, always speaks highly of her boyfriend, stating that he was a smart and kind child.
“My mom always said, if they’re bad in school, they’re probably bad as adults,” Candi Gauff said, adding that he’s always been a “smart, nice kid.” This shows that Gauff’s family has known him for a long time, which likely helps in solidifying the relationship. It’s clear that there’s a strong sense of trust and familiarity between Gauff’s family and her boyfriend.
### He’s aspiring to be an actor and plays the guitar
Gauff has also shared some information about her boyfriend’s career aspirations. According to her, he is currently in school and plans to apply to music school, where he hopes to pursue acting. Gauff has described him as a “very nice guy” who plays the guitar and has big dreams of entering the entertainment world.
“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 told *Vogue* during her cover story. This glimpse into his ambitions shows that he has his own dreams and goals, separate from Gauff’s high-profile tennis career. The couple seems to support each other’s individual pursuits, which likely adds a healthy dynamic to their relationship.
### Twitter may have figured out who he is
Despite Gauff’s efforts to keep her boyfriend’s identity under wraps, fans on social media seem to have pieced together who he is. In her *Vogue* interview, Gauff mentioned that people on Twitter had already “found him” just a few days after her story was published. However, Gauff did not confirm or deny these claims, adding an element of mystery to the situation.
“People on Twitter found him two or three days ago,” Gauff said. “I won’t respond and confirm if it’s him or not, but they caught me in the comments, so they know.” This playful reference to social media sleuths shows that even the most private details of her life are hard to keep secret, thanks to the internet’s ability to connect the dots.
### They talked the night before she won the 2023 U.S. Open
In an emotional moment after winning the 2023 U.S. Open, Gauff took a moment during her press conference to acknowledge her boyfriend’s support. She revealed that she had called him the night before the final and spoken with him until 1:00 a.m., the night before she played in one of the biggest matches of her career.
“I just called my boyfriend and I told him let’s talk until it was time to go to sleep,” she said. “So we spoke until 1:00 a.m. and then I went to sleep and I woke up this morning.” This conversation clearly had a positive impact on Gauff, and she attributed part of her success in the final to the comfort and encouragement she received from her boyfriend.
### He will likely attend her U.S. tournaments
Gauff has mentioned that her boyfriend will probably attend some of her U.S. tournaments, especially since it’s easier for him to travel within the United States than across the Atlantic to Europe. In an interview with *People*, she confirmed that her boyfriend would likely be at some of her matches in the U.S. as she competes in upcoming tournaments, although she didn’t specify which ones.
“My boyfriend, he’ll probably come to maybe some tournaments in the U.S. It’s just a little bit easier than coming to Europe,” she said. This shows that, despite her international schedule, Gauff values having her boyfriend by her side at important events.
As Gauff looks ahead to the Paris Olympics and beyond, it’s clear that her relationship with her boyfriend is an important source of emotional support. While she continues to break barriers in the world of tennis, having someone by her side who offers a fresh perspective and encouragement has undoubtedly been a key factor in her success. With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, Gauff is preparing to take on the world’s best, and with her boyfriend’s support, it seems like she’s ready for whatever challenges come her way.