Coco Gauff has shared rare insights about her relationship with boyfriend Jalen Sera, highlighting his patience as a fundamental quality that strengthens their bond. She credits his steady and understanding nature as essential while she pursues her tennis career and faces the pressures of competing at the highest level.
Unlike many athletes dating within their own professional circle, Gauff’s boyfriend Jalen Sera is an aspiring actor, which places him outside of the tennis world entirely. This distance from the sport’s high-stakes atmosphere allows him to offer an independent viewpoint on her life and career, a perspective Gauff values deeply.
Gauff also notes that her mother, Candi, who once taught Sera in fourth grade, has always supported their relationship, an endorsement that means a lot to both of them. The 21-year-old tennis star often describes Sera as a “green flag” partner, praising his character and especially his ability to remain patient during challenging moments.
When asked about what qualities she sees as green flags, Gauff joked,
“When they listen…, Patience.”
—Coco Gauff. She further explained that her strong desire for things to be done her way can test patience, but Sera remains very understanding and supportive.
One vivid example of his patience came before Gauff’s US Open final two years ago. She recounted calling Sera late at night to talk and calm her nerves, stating,
“I told him, ‘Let’s talk until it’s time to go to sleep,’ so we spoke until 1:00 a.m. and then I went to sleep.”
—Coco Gauff. This moment shows how Sera’s calm presence helps Gauff manage the mental pressures of high-level competition.
Gauff also admires his charm and the stability he brings to their relationship, grounding her amid tennis’s demanding and often stressful lifestyle.
Coco Gauff’s Early Exit from the Cincinnati Masters Against Jasmine Paolini
Gauff’s performance at the Cincinnati Open ended unexpectedly after a tough loss to Italy‘s Jasmine Paolini. As the highest-ranked American and world No. 2, Gauff started strong, winning the first set 6-2, but ultimately fell 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a match where momentum shifted dramatically.
Paolini, 29, overcame an early ankle injury in the second set to break Gauff’s serve, leveling the match. She finished the match impressively, winning seven consecutive points in the final set and taking 12 of the last 15 points to secure victory, demonstrating resilience and competitive spirit.
Reflecting on the match, Paolini said,
“It was so tough. At the beginning, I was just running and trying to put the ball inside the court.”
—Jasmine Paolini. She added,
“But after a little bit, I started to feel better the ball. I stayed there every point, I tried to fight every point, and it worked.”
—Jasmine Paolini.
Following this win, Paolini will face Veronika Kudermetova in the semifinals. Kudermetova, from Russia, advanced after defeating Varvara Gracheva, setting up a fresh encounter between the two. Historically, Kudermetova has won all three past matches against Paolini, but they have not competed since 2021, adding intrigue to the upcoming match.
Significance of Gauff’s Relationship and Career Outlook
Coco Gauff’s appreciation of Jalen Sera’s patience highlights the importance of emotional support amid the pressures of professional sport. His ability to provide a grounding presence outside of tennis gives her space to focus on her ambitions while maintaining balance in her personal life.
The impact of his patience and understanding offers a positive example of how athletes benefit from strong, supportive partnerships that respect their career demands and personal needs. Looking ahead, Gauff’s experiences exemplify how personal relationships can play a central role in sustaining mental strength for elite competitors.
On the court, Gauff will aim to rebound from her Cincinnati Masters loss as she prepares for future tournaments, relying on her relationship’s supportive foundation as she continues striving for success at Grand Slam events.