View gallery
Image Credit: Getty Images
Coco Gauff has already accomplished what most athletes can only envision — and she’s still just 21 years of age. Since emerging as a teenage phenom at Wimbledon, the Atlanta-born competitor has consistently climbed to the pinnacle of women’s tennis while preserving a down-to-earth outlook influenced by her middle-class origins. “Even the essential things, such as air travel and accommodations, still feel like a significant expense to me,” she expressed to The Guardian in a prior interview, contemplating her attitude towards triumph.
On the court, Gauff has constantly lived up to the expectation. She clinched her initial Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, followed by a noteworthy career achievement with her first French Open victory in 2025. More recently, she once again dominated headlines at the 2026 Australian Open — both for her quarterfinal showing and for voicing her opinions regarding athlete privacy — highlighting her escalating sway beyond the realm of tennis.
Once projected by Chris Evert to become a Grand Slam victor, Coco has delivered on that pledge and displays no indication of relenting. Here’s what to learn about the star molding the sport’s trajectory.
Coco Gauff Is a Skilled Tennis Professional
Born on March 13, 2004, Cori “Coco” Grauff was raised in Atlanta. Her fascination with Tennis began at four years old after witnessing Serena Williams secure the Australian Open in 2009. She started participating at age six, and at seven, her family relocated to Delray Beach, Florida, where she could access superior training resources. Coco ascribes winning the “Little Mo” eight-and-under nationals as the moment she realized she desired to be a tennis player in adulthood. “I was fond of tennis,” she remarked in 2020, according to The Guardian. “I felt so-so about it at first because in my younger days, I had no desire to practice whatsoever. My only wish was to hang out with my companions. Upon reaching eight, that marked my participation in ‘Little Mo,’ and thereafter, I resolved to pursue this path for the remainder of my days.”
She Is Emulating Serena Williams’ Success
In 2017, Coco designated her preferred players in this sequence: “Serena, Venus [Williams], Madison Keys, and Sloan Stephens,” she stated, via ESPN. Coco initially encountered Serena at the “Little Mo” competition in New York, and they reconnected in 2015 during the filming of a Delta advertisement in West Palm Beach. “It was delightful, a splendid occurrence,” Cori conveyed to ESPN. “She has invariably been my most admired player. I was granted the opportunity to serve a few balls to her. I also made her acquaintance in Nice, France [at the Patrick Mouratoglou training center].”4
At the age of ten, Coco initiated training at the Mouratoglou Academy in France, administered by Serena’s enduring coach. The preparation seemed fruitful. In 2014, she triumphed at the USTA Clay Court National 12-under tournament. At the time, her age was 10 years and 3 months, rendering her the youngest champion historically.
Coco Experienced a Breakthrough in 2019
Coco transitioned to professional status in 2018 and debuted on the WTA circuit at the Miami Open, according to ESPN. She prevailed in her opening match before succumbing in the second round. Her significant advancement transpired the subsequent year. After facing a straight-sets defeat in the second qualifying round at the French Open, Coco obtained a position in Wimbledon subsequent to the approval of her wildcard entry request. She advanced forcefully through the qualifiers and ousted Venus Williams before eventually being defeated in the fourth round by the eventual champion, Simona Halep. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without you,” Coco communicated to Venus following her Wimbledon triumph. Venus had already accumulated four grand slam titles prior to Coco’s birth in 2004.
Made for the big stage ✨@CocoGauff becomes the youngest player since 1991 to win in the first round of the ladies’ singles, beating Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/hfgcQGdZtq
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2019
The performance led to Coco being ranked No. 141 globally. She sustained her prosperity at the 2019 US Open, progressing to the third round where she was bested by the world’s top player and defending champion, Naomi Osaka.
…And Secured Her First WTA Singles Title at the Age of 15
Following her influential displays at Wimbledon and the US Open, it was only a matter of time before Coco obtained her inaugural WTA victory. She emerged victorious in the 2019 Linz Open in Austria, defeating Jelena Ostapenko in the closing match. She was 15 years of age at that juncture. She triumphed in her second WTA tournament in May 2021, capturing the Emilia-Romagna Open after overcoming Wang Qiang in successive sets.
In 2022, she progressed entirely to the final of the French Open. She was defeated by Iga Świątek in two straight sets.
She Leverages Her Influence to Broadcast a Message
Coco has capitalized on her renown and celebrity standing to vocalize her stance on social justice, specifically the countless instances of Black men and women fatally harmed by law enforcement in America. “Wimbledon has presented me with an avenue to gather funds and enhance understanding for other matters, and I am appreciative that I had the means to do so,” she disclosed to The Guardian. “With each match I triumph in, it appears that a growing number of individuals are following me, which is advantageous. Consequently, it implies amplified awareness of subjects I hold dear. My enduring aspiration has been to be more than merely a tennis player.”
View this post on Instagram
“Recently, younger individuals are spearheading movements, and I surmise that the world must adapt to it since we’re accustomed to elder figures dictating our actions,” she further stated. “My peers have simply concluded that it was opportune to independently express our opinions on various topics. I do attentively observe the [climate] movement, and I am acquiring knowledge regarding approaches to better amend, at minimum, my way of life and the habits of my family.”