Shortly after her historic French Open victory, Coco Gauff revealed that one of her social media accounts had been hacked, prompting an urgent warning to her followers. The 21-year-old tennis star alerted fans to false posts promoting a fake cryptocurrency scam linked to her name.
False Cryptocurrency Promotion Appears on Gauff’s Account
On June 11, a misleading post emerged on Gauff’s X account (formerly known as Twitter), claiming she had launched a memecoin aimed at helping underprivileged youth gain access to sports. The post included a suspicious link inviting people to invest in “cocostoken.com.”
Responding quickly, Gauff used her Instagram Stories to clarify that her X account had been compromised and that the memecoin announcement was fraudulent. She stated:
“My twitter got hacked… Do not buy this. It’s not real, please spread the info”
—Coco Gauff, Professional Tennis Player
Concerned about the safety of her followers, she issued a further alert emphasizing not to trust any unverified posts from her hacked account, saying:
“My X account is hacked… Do not buy or pay attention anything posted until you hear from me on here (Instagram) spread the word please! Lol I don’t want people wasting their money”
—Coco Gauff, Professional Tennis Player
The fraudulent post has since been removed from Gauff’s X profile, likely following reports from users who recognized the scam.
French Open Triumph Sparks Media Spotlight Back in the United States
Having just returned from Paris after winning her first French Open singles title, Coco Gauff immediately faced an intense media spotlight in the U.S. Her victory marked the first by an American woman at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015, drawing widespread attention.
Major American outlets such as CBS Mornings, TODAY, Good Morning America, ESPN First Take, Vogue, and Essence featured interviews with Gauff, where she discussed various topics from her competitive mindset to the warm congratulations she received from the Obamas. This surge in attention underscored her rapid rise in the tennis world, now ranked as WTA No. 2.
Among the highlights of her post-victory appearances was a memorable guest spot on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Gauff’s playful interruption of Fallon’s opening monologue earned her praise and affection from the audience, who called her a “national treasure.”
Implications of the Hack Amid Growing Public Profile
The hacking incident casts a shadow over Gauff’s surge in popularity following her French Open success, highlighting the risks that high-profile athletes face in the digital age. Her swift response to warn followers shows a heightened awareness of potential online threats, particularly scams exploiting her name.
As Gauff continues to build her career and fanbase, protecting her social media presence remains vital to maintaining trust and safeguarding her supporters from fraudulent schemes. Fans and followers are likely to remain vigilant, awaiting further updates directly from the athlete on official channels.