Coco Gauff has revealed that she and her father broke their personal crying rule after winning the US Open in 2023.
The American tennis star overcame Aryna Sabalenka in three sets at Flushing Meadows last year to claim her maiden Grand Slam title.
After the victory, a 19-year-old Gauff was understandably emotional having won her home Grand Slam.
But in an Instagram live video after the final, Gauff revealed she wasn’t expecting to shed tears.
Gauff went on to explain her outpouring of emotion, pointing to a video of when she was just nine years old busting some moves inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“If you’ve been following me for a while you just know this has been something the world has put on me at a young age,” Gauff said.
“I’m just happy that I was finally able to overcome all that to do it.
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“So that’s where the tears came from and just a little bit of a shock when I finished the match. Y’all saw the video where I was nine years old, I think that girl was crying, to be honest.
“I don’t think I was crying, to be honest, I think that girl in the video was crying because I don’t like to cry. Not in front of people. I’ll cry alone, I’ll cry over a movie or a TV show but in front of people, no.”
Gauff’s father, Corey, was also in tears after her groundbreaking victory.
But, like his daughter, Corey is normally stone-faced and is not one to show much emotion.
It’s why his reaction to Gauff’s win over Sabalenka was so surprising, at least for her.
I’m like my dad though, for real,” Gauff said.
“Today was the first time I’ve ever seen my dad cry. He doesn’t want me to tell y’all that but he got caught in 4K. He thinks he’s so hard, but he’s not.”
Gauff’s US Open victory in 2023 remains her only Grand Slam singles trophy to date, with her next best performance being a run to the French Open final in 2022.
She did manage to go one better at Roland Garros this year albeit in the women’s doubles, teaming up with Katerina Siniakova.
Coco Gauff’s emotional triumph at the 2023 US Open marked a significant moment in her young career, and it was filled with touching moments for both her and her family. The 19-year-old tennis star, who defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to win her first Grand Slam, opened up about the deep emotions that came with the victory. Gauff’s response to the win went beyond just athletic achievement—it was a moment that encapsulated years of hard work, pressure, and a journey that began long before she was in the global spotlight.
In an Instagram Live video after the final, Gauff candidly shared how she and her father, Corey Gauff, broke their personal “no crying” rule after the match. Gauff, known for keeping her emotions in check on the court, said she hadn’t anticipated shedding any tears after her victory. “I’m not one to cry in front of people,” Gauff explained. “I’ll cry alone, or over a movie, but not in front of people.” However, the significance of the moment was overwhelming. She recounted a memory from when she was nine years old, dancing inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, a place that would one day become the stage of her greatest achievement. Reflecting on that video, she acknowledged how far she had come and the immense expectations the world had placed on her from a young age.
Gauff’s emotional journey was mirrored by her father, Corey, who has long been a stoic figure in her life. Corey, typically composed and not one to show outward emotion, also shed tears following her win. This was a surprising moment for Gauff, who shared that it was the first time she had ever seen her father cry. “He got caught in 4K,” Gauff joked during her Instagram Live. “He thinks he’s so hard, but he’s not.”
The father-daughter dynamic has been a crucial element of Gauff’s career. Corey Gauff has been deeply involved in Coco’s tennis development, and their bond has been a cornerstone of her rise in the sport. Their emotional connection became even more apparent in the aftermath of her US Open victory, showing the depth of their shared journey through the highs and lows of her tennis career.
Coco’s US Open win is her first and only Grand Slam title to date, but she has come close to another title before. In 2022, she made a run to the French Open final, showcasing her growing prowess on the court. While she fell short in that singles final, her success in doubles has been more prominent, particularly with her 2023 French Open victory in women’s doubles alongside Katerina Siniakova. Gauff’s continued growth as both a singles and doubles player shows her versatility and determination to succeed at the highest levels of tennis.
Her breakthrough at the US Open in 2023, though, was especially poignant because it happened on home soil. Winning a Grand Slam is a milestone for any tennis player, but doing so in front of a home crowd adds an extra layer of significance. For Gauff, the win was not just the culmination of years of hard work but also a chance to fulfill the dreams that had been fostered since childhood. The video of her younger self dancing in Arthur Ashe Stadium served as a reminder of those early days and how far she had come.
Gauff’s victory also signified her ability to overcome immense pressure. From a young age, Gauff has been seen as a future star, and the expectations placed on her have been high. She rose to prominence at just 15 years old when she defeated Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019, and since then, her every move has been watched closely by tennis fans and experts alike. However, with that early success came challenges, including the mental and emotional toll of living up to those expectations. Winning the US Open allowed Gauff to finally release some of that pressure and prove to herself and the world that she could reach the pinnacle of the sport.
In her post-match reflections, Gauff expressed gratitude for the support she has received throughout her career, particularly from her family. Her father’s involvement, both as a parent and a coach, has been instrumental in her development. Their shared emotions after her US Open victory highlight the personal nature of her journey. For Gauff, tennis is not just about winning matches—it’s about the relationships, sacrifices, and growth that come with pursuing greatness.
As she looks to the future, Gauff remains one of the brightest talents in women’s tennis. Her US Open victory has undoubtedly solidified her status as a Grand Slam champion, and it is likely that more titles will follow. However, regardless of what lies ahead, the emotional outpouring at the 2023 US Open will remain a defining moment in Gauff’s career. It was a reminder that even the most composed athletes have moments of vulnerability and that behind every triumph is a deep well of emotions, memories, and hard-earned victories.
In sum, Coco Gauff’s US Open win in 2023 was about more than just tennis. It was the culmination of a journey that started when she was a young girl with dreams of greatness. It was a moment of shared joy and emotion for her and her family, breaking their usual stoic demeanor and revealing the emotional depth behind her success. Gauff’s win represents both a personal and professional milestone, and it is a moment that will be remembered not just for the trophy but for the tears and the triumph they signified.