Tennis Star Coco Gauff's Parents Were Also Talented Athletes in Their Day
Updated Aug. 31 2023, 12:55 p.m. ET
After shaking up the game by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019 at only 15 years old, tennis player Coco Gauff has continued to prove that her star power, athleticism, and humble spirit makes her the sport’s next rising legend and icon for young Black women and girls.
That said, it takes a village to hone the talent of an athlete. And fans of Coco's are likely familiar with the presence of the star’s parents at all of her games. The mom and dad duo are always seen cheering their hearts out and uplifting Coco from the stands.
Since it has long been proven that talent doesn’t skip a generation, fans are ready to learn more about Coco’s parental unit. Here’s the 4-1-1 on Coco's family.
Coco’s parents, Candi and Corey Gauff, were also talented athletes in their day.
Coco has top-of-the-line athleticism running through her veins! According to The Tennis Time, Coco’s parents, Candi and Corey Gauff, are well-versed in sports. Candi and Corey both hail from Delray Beach, Fla., where they’re currently raising their three children: Coco, Codey, and Cameron.
The outlet shares that Coco’s mother, Candi, had an affinity for track and field and was a member of Florida State University's team. Not only did Candi win the Sun-Sentinel Track Athlete of the Year award for two successive years, but the family matriarch also was named the state champion in the heptathlon event at Atlantic High School in the sunshine state.
As for Coco’s dad Corey, the family patriarch fancied the sport of basketball and played for Georgia State University during his prime.
While both parents' athletic days are behind them, Candi worked as an educator at Atlantic High School and Corey as a healthcare executive, per the outlet. However, things changed thanks to Coco.
Once Candi and Corey recognized Coco’s talent in tennis, the pair quit their jobs and decided to train Coco. And as we can see, that hard work and dedication has paid off. Coco is a beast on the court!
"If it wasn't for the Williams sisters, Coco would not be a tennis player," Candi told ESPN. "And if it wasn't for [the Williams sisters' father Richard Williams], my husband would not have studied tennis in that format. He's patented himself off [Richard Williams] and used their roadmap."
It seems as though this U.S. Open fave only continues to get better with time. We're rooting for you, Coco!
