Coco Gauff’s rise to Grand Slam glory was built long before she lifted the US Open trophy. Her parents, Corey and Candi Gauff, changed their lives to give their daughter a better chance in tennis, moving the family from Atlanta to Delray Beach, Florida, when Coco was still a child. Corey stepped away from his career to coach her, while Candi took charge of her homeschooling. Years later, after Coco became a major tennis star, she continued to point back to the same people who believed in her before the world did. For her, family was never separate from the journey.
How did Corey and Candi Gauff change their lives for Coco Gauff’s tennis dream
Coco Gauff’s tennis journey took a serious turn when she was still very young. Her parents had both been college athletes – Corey played basketball at Georgia State University, while Candi competed in track and field at Florida State University. They understood what training and competition demanded, but they also knew that their daughter needed the right environment if she wanted to see how far tennis could take her.The family eventually moved from Atlanta back to Delray Beach, where Corey and Candi had grown up. Better tennis opportunities were a major reason for the decision. The move also meant giving up the stability they had built in Atlanta. The family initially stayed with Coco’s maternal grandparents before getting their own home. ESPN reported that Corey left his healthcare career and became Coco’s coach, while Candi left education to homeschool her daughter.That was not a small change for a family with three children. Coco had to train seriously while continuing her education at home, and her parents had to organize their lives around her development. Corey handled much of the tennis work, while Candi made sure school did not disappear from the picture.Coco has spoken about how much that early belief meant to her. She recalled:“We realized Florida was the place to be for tennis, so we moved from Atlanta. My parents gave up their dream house. We stayed with my grandmother for six, seven months before we could get our own place… My dad told me I could do it when I was eight years old. Obviously, you’re never 100% sure, but my parents believed in me from the start. That belief meant everything when I was growing up.”
How did Coco Gauff’s family help her handle fame after beating Venus Williams
The next major change came in 2019, when Coco Gauff became a global name at just 15. She entered Wimbledon as a qualifier and then defeated five-time champion Venus Williams in the first round. The win changed the scale of attention around her almost overnight.There were suddenly questions about how far she could go, whether she could become the next big American tennis star and how quickly she could win major titles. For a teenager, that attention could easily become overwhelming.Her family tried to keep tennis in its proper place. Candi, in particular, reminded Coco that being a tennis player was only one part of who she was. That message mattered because Coco was learning to deal with victories, losses, interviews and expectations while still growing up.Speaking about her mother’s influence, Gauff said:“My mom always tells me to just be Coco. She reminds me that tennis is just a game, and it doesn’t define who I am as a person. Having that perspective from my family keeps me sane. Win or lose, they love me the exact same way.”That approach gave Coco something outside the results. A bad match could hurt, but it did not change how her family saw her. That distinction became especially important as the attention around her grew.
How did Coco Gauff’s parents react when she won the 2023 US Open
The biggest reward for years of work arrived at the 2023 US Open. Gauff, then 19, defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final to win her first Grand Slam singles title. She lost the opening set but fought back to win the match in three sets, completing one of the biggest victories of her young career.For Coco, the win was also a personal answer to the disappointment she had carried from her first Grand Slam final at the French Open in 2022. She had lost that match to Iga Swiatek, but the defeat became part of the road that led her to New York.After beating Sabalenka, Gauff spoke about the people who had stayed with her through every stage of that journey. Her parents were at the centre of that message.“Thank you to my parents. Today was the first time I ever saw my dad cry. He doesn’t want me to tell you that, but he did! He supported me from day one. My mom, she’s been my rock through everything. I’m just so grateful for them.”She also had a message for the people who had doubted her:“To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, you were really adding gas to it. Now I’m burning so bright.”The words were personal because the road to that trophy had not been smooth. Her family had made difficult choices when she was a child, and Coco had spent years trying to turn their faith into results.
Why does Coco Gauff’s family story still matter beyond her tennis career
Coco Gauff’s success is easy to explain through her talent, speed and fighting spirit. But her story also shows what happened away from the centre court. Her parents made major changes before there was any guarantee that their daughter would become a professional player.They did not simply put Coco into a tennis programme and wait for results. Corey coached her, Candi handled her education, and the family adjusted its daily life around her training. Coco also grew up with her younger brothers, Cody and Cameron, keeping family life separate from the pressure of competition.That balance became especially valuable after her breakthrough at Wimbledon. TIME reported that Gauff’s move to Delray Beach gave her access to better tennis training while homeschooling allowed greater flexibility around practice.Her first Grand Slam title therefore meant more than a trophy. It was the result of years of decisions made when there was no certainty about the outcome.Coco Gauff is now an established name in American tennis, but the foundation of her career was built when she was still a child. Her parents believed in the possibility before the titles arrived. Coco’s own words about them show why their role continues to be such an important part of her story.