She may just be 15, but Cori Gauff is already getting the attention of the tennis world. The sensational teenager who only a few years ago is completely unknown has attracted the admiration of many important people in the world including Michelle Obama.
Having defeated the greats in the business such as Venus Williams and later Noami Osaka, there is nothing that seems to stand in her way from setting the tennis world on fire. Before that happens, here are some amazing things to know about the next queen of tennis:
Terrific facts about Cori Gauff
1. She is still a teenager
The star was born on March 13, 2004, in Delray Beach, Florida. This means that at the moment, she is only 15 years old. Still, she is doing wonders.
2. The family of Cori Gauff
Cori “Coco” Gauff is from a small and united family. Her parents are Candi and Corey Gauff. She also has two younger brothers, Codey and Cameron. It is easy to see that all members of her family have names that start with the letter ‘C’.
3. Cori grew up in Atlanta
Although she was birthed in Delray Beach, Florida that she was born, she spent her early life in Atlanta before later moving back to her home town of Delray Beach where she now lives with her family.
4. Her nickname
The tennis star is officially known as Cori, but she is more popular as Coco, which happens to be her nickname. So when you see someone refer to her as Coco Gauff, it is also her name. With her first name pronounced the same as that of her dad, Coco is preferred by many for her.
5. Her parents were also athletes
Both the parents of Coco were also athletes although they were into different sports from tennis. Her mother was into track and field while her father was a basketball player in his college days.
6. She was also involved in other sports
With parents who were into track and field and basketball on either side, it is not surprising that Cori was also involved in the two sports although it was tennis that became the love of her life.
7. Her father was her first coach
Corry Gauff was the first coach his daughter had. As soon as she showed interest in the sport that has now given her fame, he encouraged her that she could be the best in the world. Later, he resigned from his job as a health care executive to become her full-time coach.
8. Coco Gauff’s mother is her teacher
It is not only her father that left his job to coach her; her mother who was also an educator has left her job to homeschool her daughter. With that, both her parents who were previously low-income earners are now “no-income earners”.
9. Serena Williams was her first inspiration
Arguably the greatest of all times, Serena Williams has inspired a lot of people in tennis. It is not surprising that Coco is one of those people. She was first drawn to the sport when she first saw Serena play when she was 7.
10. She is the youngest WTA champion
Since 2004 when Nicole Vaidišová became the youngest person to become the WTA champion at the age of 15 years 3 months, Coco achieved the same feat in 2019 when she won the Linz Open having qualified as the lucky loser. She defeated Jelena Ostapenko to win the title.
11. Coco prays for herself and her opponent before going on court
According to Corey Gauff, his daughter is very spiritual just like all other members of her family. Before she goes on court, she takes out the time not only to pray for herself but to also do the same for her opponent.
12. Other people she has worked with
Apart from her father, Cori Gauff has also worked with other coaches. She spent more time with Gerard Loglo since she was 8 and by the time she as 10, she trained with Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams’s coach at the Mouratoglou Academy in France. Her current coach is Jean-Christophe Faurel; he led her to win her first WTA title.
13. Coco Gauff made her Wimbledon debut in style
In recent memory, there is no one that has made a Wimbledon debut in as much style as Coco. She did this by defeating someone she has always looked up to and former world number 1, Venus Williams. With that, she became the youngest person to reach the second week of the tournament since 1991 when Jennifer Capriati achieved the same feat at 15. Although Coco lost to Simona Halep in a fourth-round, she still made her name.
14. What is the net worth of Cori “Coco” Gauff?
Coco has already recorded a net worth that is estimated at $2.5 million at the start of 2020. She made her fortune from her career as a tennis player as well as through her numerous endorsement deals with brands such as New Balance, Barilla, and Head among others.
15. She defeated Naomi Osaka in the 2020 Australian Open
In the Women’s Singles 3rd Round, Coco shocked the word on January 24, 2020, when she defeated the favorite and defending champion, Naomi Osaka 6-3, 6-4. Before reaching the point, the youngster met Venus Williams in the first round and defeated her, and the Sorana Cîrstea in the second round.
Unfortunately, Coco Gauff was eliminated from the Australian Open on 26, January 2020 by Sofia Kenin.
16. When you defeat your idol twice!
All her life, she has always idolized the William sisters so it was a great dream for her to defeat Venus twice. Her big dream now is to play Serena. To be the greatest, you must defeat the greatest.
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17. Her brothers are also encouraged to go into sports
Cori Gauffe’s brothers are also encouraged just as she was by their parents to go into sports. They are encouraged to play basketball, although if they prefer something else like their sister, their parents will obviously support them.
18. How her father trained her
A former college basketball star, Corey did not know much about tennis when he told his daughter she could be the greatest in the sport and when he started coaching her. Hence, he depended on the tips of Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams. Who better to learn from!
19. Loved and hated
You would think that Coco is one person that everyone should love. However, there are those that have targeted her on social media with hurtful messages, trying to bring her down. But then, the tennis sensation seems to know how to deal with them as she keeps excelling.
20 Cori Gauff thanked venus after defeating her
The first time she defeated Venus Williams, Coco thanked her for all she has done for her in her career, most especially as she was one of her major inspirations.
21. Her grandparents were also into athletics
Cori’s maternal grandparents are the founders of the Delray Beach American Little League Baseball which is also coached by her grandfather. Are you surprised that she is an athlete of her calibre?
22. Her family has had to make sacrifices
Since both her parents have had to leave their jobs to concentrate on making her better in her sport, the family had to downsize and make so many sacrifices financially
23. She is not so much about social media
Although she enjoys great followership on social media platforms including Twitter and Instagram where she is fastly heading for a million followers, Coco Gauff does not get so much involved in it. She only shares occasionally on the platforms.
24. She plans to go to college
Despite achieving early success in her career and with the future looking all bright for her, Coco who believes that life can change in seconds has made it clear that she wants to go to college. And she doesn’t mind taking exams during her tournaments until she graduates
25. Cori is the youngest player to reach the U.S. Open girls‘ final
In 2017 at the age of 13, Gauff became the youngest to reach the finals of the US Open junior which first started in 1974. Unfortunately, she later lost the finals to 16-year-old American Amanda Anisimova.
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26. Her idols outside tennis
Cori’s main idols are in tennis, but outside of the sport, she has other idols including Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. She is also a huge fan of Jaden Smith.
27. What is the height of Cori Gauff?
At 15, Cori has a good height standing at an amzing 5 feet 9 inches. Yes, she may get taller before becoming an adult.
28. Prize money
By January 2020, the prize money of the teenager was placed at over half a million dollars. To be precise, her prize money is US$557,583.
29. Her highest ranking
On January 13, 2020, she attained her highest ranking yet, when she was placed at No 66 on the singles ranking and 68 in the doubles. She will definitely go higher soon.
30. Is she the future greatest of all time?
Although she is still new to the whole business, she has already been described by many as the future greatest of all time. Mike Tyson is one of the first to think she would be greatest of all time in the future. She also declared she wants to be the greatest. With the way she is going, there may be no going back for her.
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