Corey Gauff, father of American tennis star Coco Gauff, made a heartfelt sacrifice by watching the 2025 French Open final alone instead of joining her in the players’ box. Coco triumphed over Aryna Sabalenka to secure her second Grand Slam title, while her father observed the match remotely to manage his own nervousness.
Corey Gauff’s Choice to Watch the Final Separately
During the French Open final, Coco Gauff’s support team at the players’ box included close family members such as her mother, Candi, yet her father Corey was notably absent. Coco has previously explained that Corey’s intense nervousness while watching her play influenced the decision for him to stay out of the box. To help her perform without added pressure, Corey chose to watch the match on his iPad from the transportation area instead.
In an interview on Tennis Channel 2’s ‘Second Serve,’ Corey shared the emotional moments he faced during the match. He described moving towards the players’ box after the first match point but retreating when the match tension increased, realizing he needed to stay put until the contest concluded.
“I kind of parked in the transportation area and I watched on my iPad… The first match point, I start walking to go to the box, and she lost it, and then the next point to give her [Aryna Sabalenka] a break point. So I turned around and I went back and sat in my place. I said, ‘I’m not moving until it’s over,'” he said.
—Corey Gauff, Father of Coco Gauff
Adding to the picture of Corey’s anxious support, Rennae Stubbs, former coach of Serena Williams, commented on his visible nervous energy during the match.
“Cocos mum is awesome and Dad is seriously losing his mind somewhere in the players area, I heard he was in the transportation area watching on tv and was NOT relaxed…lol,” Stubbs wrote on X.
—Rennae Stubbs, Former Coach
Why Coco Gauff Asked Her Father to Watch From Afar
Before the French Open final, Coco explained her father’s absence from her players’ box during the 2023 US Open in an interview with Sky Sports. She revealed that Corey’s nervous reactions during matches sometimes unsettled her, leading them to agree he would watch from a distance to reduce distractions.
“Yeah, because his nervous energy, because naturally he has been with me my whole life, so I would look at him at the points. Sometimes, I miss a shot, and he would just do like this, and like, something crazy. So, we decided this tournament that we are going to put you somewhere else where we can’t see you, so that way you will still be here,” Coco Gauff said.
—Coco Gauff, Tennis Star
This arrangement coincided with Coco’s first Grand Slam victory at the 2023 US Open, where she also defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Remarkably, Sabalenka was once again the runner-up when Gauff won her second Major title at Roland Garros.
Looking Ahead: Coco Gauff’s Upcoming Season
Following this French Open win, Coco Gauff and her team are preparing for the prestigious Wimbledon tournament. She is set to begin her grass-court season in Berlin, facing Xinyu Wang in the second round on June 19. Coco’s ability to balance family support with her own competitive focus will remain key as she continues to rise in the sport.
Corey Gauff’s quiet sacrifice during the French Open final underscores the emotional complexities behind the scenes in professional tennis. His decision to stay apart from the players’ box for Coco’s benefit highlights the family’s unwavering support in her journey to the top of the sport.