US Open fans only just realising what Coco Gauff's name is and nickname reason (2024)

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Coco Gauff will have the chance to make history at the US Open on Saturday, but the teenage star doesn't even play under her real name.

By Richard Garnett

At 19 years of age, Coco Gauff is fast emerging as the star of American tennis, but a lot of fans don't even realise that she plays using a nickname. The world No. 6 will have the chance to clinch her first-ever Grand Slam title when she takes on number two seed and soon-to-be world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.

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Gauff was a beaten finalist at the French Open last year, but with home advantage, is hoping to go one better in New York in front of what will be a noisy partisan crowd.

But as the teenager's profile continues to sky-rocket fans of the US star could be surprised to learn that Coco is in fact just a nickname and not her birth name.

Gauff's real first name is Cori, which she was named after her father Corey Gauff.

Explaining the oddity in an interview with Sports Illustrated, she said: “So my dad’s name is also Corey and my parents always wanted their first child to be named Corey or Cori.

US Open fans only just realising what Coco Gauff's name is and nickname reason (4)

Coco Gauff's real name is Cori. (Image: Getty)

“Actually, no, I take that back! My mom wanted her first child to be named that but my dad said if I were a boy, he wouldn’t have named me Corey because he didn’t want a junior.

“My nickname came about because we both can’t be named Corey/Cori, that’d be confusing.

“I believe it was my aunt who said, ‘Oh, we should just call her Coco.’ When my dad was growing up, people used to call him Co and I guess they just said, ‘Oh, Coco’s a cool nickname.’

“Ever since then, I’ve been going by Coco. For sure more people used Coco than Cori.”

Guaff first announced herself to the tennis world when aged just 15, she stunned Wimbledon by defeating five-time champion Venus Williams in the first round.

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US Open fans only just realising what Coco Gauff's name is and nickname reason (5)

Coco Gauff screams with delight after reaching the US Open final. (Image: Getty)

After finishing runner-up to Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros last year, the America went on to reach a career-high world ranking of 4 in October of the same year.

Now world No. 6, she has put the disappointment of a first-round exit at this year's Wimbledon behind her to reach the second Grand Slam singles final of her career and perhaps ominously the first on American soil.

Should she go on to fulfill her dream and beat second seed Sabalenka on Saturday at Flushing Meadows, the name of Cori Gauff will soon be known the world over.

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US Open fans only just realising what Coco Gauff's name is and nickname reason (2024)

FAQs

US Open fans only just realising what Coco Gauff's name is and nickname reason? ›

Gauff's real first name is Cori, which she was named after her father Corey Gauff. Explaining the oddity in an interview with Sports Illustrated, she said: “So my dad's name is also Corey and my parents always wanted their first child to be named Corey or Cori.

Why is Coco Gauff called Coco? ›

Being named after her father, Corey, the young tennis prodigy was originally called Cori Dionne Gauff. Due to the similarity in names with her father, her aunt recommended the nickname "Coco," which quickly caught on and became her widely recognized moniker.

What is Coco God's real name? ›

Cori Dionne "Coco" Gauff (/ˈɡɔːf/ GAWF; born March 13, 2004) is an American professional tennis player. She has won seven WTA Tour singles titles, including a major at the 2023 US Open, and eight doubles titles. Gauff has career-high rankings of world No. 3 in singles and of world No.

What is interesting about Coco Gauff? ›

She has two younger brothers. Her father played college basketball at Georgia State University and later worked as a health care executive. Her mother was a track and field athlete at Florida State University and worked as an educator. Gauff lived her early years in Atlanta.

Did Coco Gauff change her name to Cori? ›

Despite being officially named Cori Gauff in official reports and registered as such with the WTA, the precocious young tennis star had always been known as Coco, a nickname given to her by her grandmother.

Who did Coco Gauff call? ›

Coco Gauff is not happy with the umpire in her match against Pliskova. “You called it out after she hit it.” “Can you not cut me off for two seconds?” “Call the supervisor… you can't deny me the supervisor.

Why is Coco Gauff so popular? ›

Coco Gauff (born March 13, 2004, Delray Beach, Florida, U.S.) American professional tennis player who won the U.S. Open women's title in 2023. At 19, Gauff became only the third American teenager to win the national women's title.

Who is the 16 year old female tennis player? ›

She's only 16 years old, but Russian Mirra Andreeva is wowing the fans at Melbourne Park – all while balancing her schoolwork and snakes. The teen sensation reached the third round with a stunning boilover of sixth seed Ons Jabeur on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, crushing the three-time slam finalist 6-0 6-2.

Is Coco Gauff in a relationship? ›

Yup, Coco has more going on in life than what she does on the court. Coco shared in her recent Time cover story that she has a boyfriend but prefers to keep his identity private. She's also known him for ages—her mom Candi was his fourth-grade teacher. This isn't the first time Coco has mentioned having a boyfriend.

Did Coco the tennis player have a baby? ›

The 26-year-old stepped back from tennis in 2023 and was absent during the entire season as she gave birth to daughter Shai in July—she's now targeting a return to action during the Australian swing.

Why did Coco Gauff retire? ›

Coco Gauff retires due to injury in first round of Western & Southern Open; Naomi Osaka loses. MASON, Ohio ‒ Days after earning the No.

How much does Coco Gauff weigh? ›

SOCIAL
INFO
Height, Weight5'9", 121 lbs
FromUnited States
Debut--
PlaysR
2 more rows

How did Coco Gauff lose? ›

In the two sets she lost Monday, Gauff lost her service early. With the pressure on to draw even, too many of her forehands and backhands sailed long. That was especially disappointing for Gauff in the third set, when she had Garcia on the ropes in the first game, with multiple opportunities to break her serve.

Did Coco Gauff graduate high school? ›

Tennis star Coco Gauff has every reason to celebrate. She snapped pictures in a cap and gown in front of the Eiffel Tower to commemorate her graduation from high school.

What kind of name is Gauff? ›

German: occupational name for a trader, merchant, from Old High German koufo, Middle High German kaufe. Presumably one of the earliest loanwords from Latin, caupo 'innkeeper, publican, retailer', it later appeared in several compounds, for instance Kaufmann.

Does Coco Gauff have a mother? ›

Tennis star Coco Gauff wouldn't be where she is today without the unconditional love and support from her parents, Candi Gauff and Corey Gauff. Coco's career has been a whirlwind ever since she defeated her role model, Venus Williams, in the first round of Wimbledon in 2019. The one constant through it all? Her family.

Where is Coco Gauff from originally? ›

Born Cori Dionne Gauff on March 13, 2004, in Delray Beach, Florida, USA, she hails from a family of accomplished collegiate athletes. Her father, Corey Gauff, played basketball for Georgia State University, while her mother, Candi Odom Gauff, was a track athlete for Florida State University.

Does Coco Gauff have a title? ›

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Coco Gauff's rise to the top of the tennis world has been both swift and electric. Only a few months ago, she captured her first Grand Slam title and the hearts and minds of the riveted crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York when she won the 2023 U.S. Open.

Who is Coco Gauff family? ›

Tennis star Coco Gauff wouldn't be where she is today without the unconditional love and support from her parents, Candi Gauff and Corey Gauff. Coco's career has been a whirlwind ever since she defeated her role model, Venus Williams, in the first round of Wimbledon in 2019. The one constant through it all? Her family.

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