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Coco Gauff, born Cori Dionne Gauff, is a professional tennis player from Delray Beach, Florida. Gauff rose to fame in the tennis world after defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019. Gauff's father shared the same name, so her aunt suggested calling her Coco, a nickname inspired by one of her father's old nicknames.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cori Dionne Gauff |
| Nickname | Coco |
| Date of Birth | 13 March 2004 |
| Birthplace | Delray Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Parents | Corey Gauff and Candi Odom Gauff |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sport | Tennis |
| Tennis Idols | Serena Williams, Venus Williams |
| Favourite Surface | Hard |
| Playing Style | Aggressive |
| Strengths | Quickness, athleticism |
| Equipment | Head Boom MP 2022 racket |
| Clothing and Shoes | New Balance |
| Hobbies | Hanging out with her brother and family, watching superhero movies, making TikTok videos |
| Favourite Celebrity | Beyonce |
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What You'll Learn
Coco Gauff's full name is Cori Dionne Gauff
Coco Gauff is the professional name of Cori Dionne Gauff, a tennis player from Delray Beach, Florida. Gauff was born on March 13, 2004, and shares the same name as her father, Corey. To avoid confusion, her aunt suggested that the family call her Coco, a nickname derived from one of her father's old nicknames.
Gauff began playing tennis at a young age. She trained at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France, where she impressed the coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, with her "determination, athleticism and fighting spirit". Gauff won the USTA Clay Court National 12-and-under title at just 10 years old, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's history.
Gauff rose to prominence in the tennis world at 15 years old when she beat Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019. She has cited the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, as her tennis idols and inspirations for pursuing a career in tennis. In an interview after her match with Venus Williams, Gauff expressed her gratitude for everything Williams had done for the sport.
Since her breakthrough at Wimbledon, Gauff has continued to ascend through the professional ranks. As of July 22, 2024, she ranked as the WTA No. 2 in women's singles and has achieved notable victories, including the 2023 U.S. Open and the 2024 WTA Finals in Beijing and Auckland. Gauff has also represented the United States at the Summer Olympics in Paris and has been selected as the female flag bearer for the opening ceremony.
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Coco is a nickname given to her by her aunt
Coco Gauff is an American professional tennis player who first rose to prominence after defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019. Gauff was only 15 at the time, while Williams was 39. Gauff's full name is Cori Dionne Gauff, and she was named after her father, Corey.
Coco is indeed a nickname, given to her by her aunt. Gauff shared with *Sports Illustrated Kids* that sharing the same name as her father got confusing within the family:
> I believe it was my aunt who said, 'Oh, we should just call her Coco.' When my dad was growing up, people used to call him Co. Ever since then, I've been going by Coco.
The nickname was a play on one of her father's old nicknames. Gauff's parents, Corey Gauff and Candi Odom Gauff, were both accomplished collegiate athletes. Gauff has been playing tennis from a very young age and first met her idol, Serena Williams, when she won the Little Mo national tournament at eight years old.
Gauff has gone on to win numerous titles, including the USTA Clay Court National 12-and-under title when she was only 10 years old, making her the youngest champion in the tournament's history. In 2023, at age 19, she became only the third American teenager to win the U.S. Open women's title. She has also won the French Open in 2024 and 2025, and the WTA Finals in 2024, among other championships.
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Coco Gauff is a professional tennis player
Gauff began to train at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France when she was 10 years old. Her tennis idols growing up were the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, whose tenacity and fearlessness inspired her to pursue a career in tennis. In 2019, at just 15 years old, Gauff rose to prominence in the sport by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon. She expressed her respect for Williams after their match, thanking her for everything she has done for the sport.
Gauff has experienced significant success in her young career. She won her first singles title in 2019 and has since accumulated numerous titles, including the 2023 U.S. Open, where she became only the third American teenager to win the women's title. She has also won the 2024 WTA Finals, Beijing, Auckland, Cincinnati, Washington DC, and the 2025 French Open. As of July 22, 2024, Gauff was ranked as the WTA No. 2 player in women's singles worldwide.
Gauff has faced challenges in her career, including pressure and mental health struggles. In 2020, she shared that she had experienced depression and stress related to her sporting career. However, she has shown resilience and a positive outlook, stating that she needed to start playing for herself and not others. Gauff is also known for her strong Christian faith. She prays with her father before every match, asking for strength and safety for herself and her opponent.
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Coco Gauff is a Christian
Coco Gauff, born on March 13, 2004, in Delray Beach, Florida, is an American professional tennis player. She rose to prominence in the sport by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon when she was just 15 years old. Gauff is known for her incredible athleticism, shot-making, and fierce competitiveness.
Gauff's Christian faith has been a foundation for her success. After winning the Cincinnati Open in August 2023, she publicly thanked her "Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ," acknowledging the difficult moments she had endured. She also expressed that her faith helps her stay humble and grounded, reminding her of what is truly important in life.
Gauff is a member of the choir at the Saint John Missionary Baptist Church in Florida. Her mother and grandmother are also supportive of her faith, with her mother texting their pastor to pray for Coco before her match against Venus Williams.
Despite her success and fame, Gauff has kept her faith central to her life, demonstrating how her Christian beliefs provide a foundation for her achievements and help her navigate the challenges of her sporting career.
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Coco Gauff is considered the best young American women's tennis player since Serena Williams
Cori Dionne "Coco" Gauff is an American professional tennis player who has achieved remarkable success at a young age. Born in Delray Beach, Florida, in 2004, Gauff began playing tennis at a very early age. With supportive parents who were former collegiate athletes, Gauff had the ideal foundation for a promising tennis career.
Gauff's talent and determination were evident from an early age. At just 10 years old, she began training at the prestigious Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France, where she was sponsored by Patrick Mouratoglou, the longtime coach of Serena Williams. Gauff's hard work and dedication paid off, and she soon became a rising star in the tennis world.
Gauff's career has been filled with notable achievements. In 2019, at just 15 years old, she defeated her idol, Venus Williams, at Wimbledon, sparking "Cocomania". This victory marked a significant moment in her career and propelled her into the spotlight. Gauff has since won multiple titles, including the 2023 US Open, where she became only the third American teenager to win the women's championship. She has also won the French Open and various other tournaments, solidifying her status as one of the most talented young players in tennis.
Gauff is considered the best young American women's tennis player since Serena Williams. This comparison is not without merit. Like Williams, Gauff possesses a powerful playing style, relying on her athleticism and fighting spirit. She has also achieved significant milestones, mirroring Williams's success. For example, Gauff became the youngest American to make her top-25 debut in singles since Williams in 1998. Additionally, Gauff won the 2024 WTA Finals singles title, becoming the first American to do so since Williams in 2014.
Gauff continues to impress both on and off the court. She has expressed her passion for the sport and her respect for her idols, Williams and her sister, Serena. Gauff's success has inspired a new generation of tennis players and has helped carry the torch for American women's tennis. With her talent, dedication, and strong support system, Gauff is well-positioned to continue her remarkable tennis journey and further solidify her place among the greats of the game.
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Frequently asked questions
Coco Golf's real name is Cori Dionne Gauff. She was named after her father, Corey, and her nickname came from an aunt who suggested calling her Coco, a play on one of her father's old nicknames.
Coco Gauff first picked up a tennis racket when she was barely school age and told her parents she wanted to be the best player in the world. She started training at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France when she was 10 years old.
Coco Gauff is a professional tennis player who has achieved numerous milestones throughout her career. At age 15, she defeated Venus Williams at Wimbledon, one of her childhood idols. She became the third American teenager to win the U.S. Open women's title in 2023 and has won multiple singles titles, including the 2024 WTA Finals and the 2025 French Open. She has also represented the United States at the Summer Olympics in Paris.
