Tennis star Coco Gauff has revealed the surprising reason she chose to go by “Coco” instead of her given name, Cori, just as she prepares for her second French Open final. The young athlete, who gained international attention at Wimbledon in 2019 by defeating Venus Williams and reaching the fourth round at age 15, explained that the change was inspired by a desire to avoid confusion between her and her father.
Origin of the Nickname ‘Coco’ Involves Family Stories
When discussing the origins of her nickname, Gauff said,
My dad’s name is Corey, and so I guess, you know, they didn’t want me to get my dad and me confused when my mom is like yelling at one of us in the house.
—Coco Gauff
She shared two possible versions of the story:
My aunt says she came up with calling me Coco. But then my dad said, when he was younger, people used to call me Co. Then he was like, I’ll call my daughter Coco. I don’t know which story is actually true, but they both get pretty bad if I don’t say both of them. I just say that.
—Coco Gauff
Challenges with Recognition Despite Nickname’s Popularity
Although Coco Gauff’s nickname is well-known, it sometimes causes confusion, especially when she checks into hotels or airports. She recounted encounters where people ask, “Wait, are you Coco?”, to which she replies with humor:
Yeah, it’s just a nickname. I’m not somebody that looks like her.
—Coco Gauff
Current US Open Progress and Future Prospects
Following a commanding 6-2, 6-0 win against Varvara Gracheva, Gauff advanced to the second round of the US Open. She is set to face Tatjana Maria next. The world’s number three seed is embracing a more relaxed mindset this tournament, drawing motivation from a TikTok comment advising her to avoid putting excessive pressure on herself during what she called her “victory lap.”
Gauff’s Rising Profile and Continuing Impact in Tennis
Coco Gauff’s ongoing achievements, including her recent US Open success and emergence as a top contender at the French Open final against Aryna Sabalenka, highlight her growing influence in tennis. Her distinct persona and captivating background continue to make her a notable force both on the court and in public regard.