Coco Gauff, Her Dad, and the Rule They Both Broke at the US Open
When Coco Gauff won her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, the world saw a side of her she usually tries to keep hidden. At just 19 years old, she had battled past Aryna Sabalenka in three hard-fought sets—2-6, 6-3, 6-2—on the biggest tennis stage in America. The moment she secured the match, the pressure that had built up over years of expectations finally broke through. She collapsed on the court, overwhelmed, as the crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium roared in celebration.
Now, Coco had always said she had a personal rule: no crying in public. She didn’t want the world to see her emotions, especially not in front of thousands of fans and millions watching on TV. In fact, she once admitted she only ever cries privately—maybe over a movie or a TV show—but never in front of people. Yet that night in New York, the tears flowed freely. Later, during an Instagram Live, she explained that the emotion came not only from the win itself but also from the years of pressure she had carried since she was a child. She even joked about an old video of her nine-year-old self dancing inside the same stadium, saying that girl in the video might have been crying too.
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But here’s the twist: Coco wasn’t the only one who broke the “no crying” rule that night. Her dad, Corey Gauff—known for always keeping a tough, stoic exterior—was also caught with tears streaming down his face. For Coco, it was shocking. She had never seen her father cry before. And in her own words, “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.” That emotional embrace between father and daughter became one of the most memorable images of her historic victory.
Fast forward to now, Coco is back at the US Open as a two-time Grand Slam champion, having lifted the French Open trophy earlier this year. But she’s also entering the tournament with some big changes—most notably firing her coach Matthew Daly right before the event and bringing in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who once helped Sabalenka fix her own serving struggles. Coco admitted it was a sudden decision, but one she felt was necessary for her career. Tennis legend Rick Macci even supported the move, calling it a smart and essential change.
Of course, not every moment has been smooth. She’s had recent heartbreaks—like a first-round Wimbledon exit—and she still battles inconsistency with her serve. Yet, if there’s one thing Coco has proven, it’s resilience. Whether it’s breaking through the pressure of expectations, joking about her dad’s emotions, or adapting with a new coach, she shows the same fire and calm balance she credits to both her parents.
And who knows? If another title comes her way in New York, we might just see father and daughter break their “no crying” rule all over again.
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