‘Got caught in 4K’ – Coco Gauff and her dad both broke personal rule at US Open
Coco Gauff and her father broke their own personal rule after the American star secured her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open in 2023.
Aged 19 at the time, Gauff overcame Aryna Sabalenka in three sets at Flushing Meadows with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win.
The teenager was understandably emotional as she wrapped up a spectacular victory, and collapsed to the floor as the home crowd rose to their feet around her.
Gauff then shared a hug with Sabalenka and the tears began to flow as she took in the adulation of the fans inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But in an Instagram live video after the final, she revealed she wasn’t expecting to burst out crying, and explained why she doesn’t like to show her emotions in front of the world.
Why does Coco Gauff have a no crying rule?
Gauff pointed to a video of when she was just nine years old busting some moves inside Arthur Ashe Stadium as the reason for her tears, and admitted she was feeling the pressure on court.
“If you’ve been following me for a while you just know this has been something the world has put on me at a young age,” she told her followers two years ago.
“I’m just happy that I was finally able to overcome all that to do it.
“So that’s where the tears came from and just a little bit of a shock when I finished the match. Y’all saw the video where I was nine years old, I think that girl was crying, to be honest.
“I don’t think I was crying, to be honest, I think that girl in the video was crying because I don’t like to cry. Not in front of people. I’ll cry alone, I’ll cry over a movie or a TV show but in front of people, no.”
Gauff’s father was also in tears after her historic victory.
But, like his daughter, Corey is normally stone-faced and not one to show much emotion.
How did Gauff’s dad react to her US Open win?
That’s why his reaction to Gauff’s win over Sabalenka in 2023 was so surprising.
“I’m like my dad though, for real,” the tennis star said at the time, after the pair shared a tearful embrace in the stands.
“Today was the first time I’ve ever seen my dad cry.
“He doesn’t want me to tell y’all that, but he got caught in 4K. He thinks he’s so hard, but he’s not.”
Two years on from that win at Flushing Meadows, Gauff returns to the US Open as a recently-minted two-time Grand Slam champion.
While she fell short on the biggest stages in 2024, she has fared better this year, and secured the French Open title back in June with a comeback victory against World No.1 Sabalenka.
That performance at Roland Garros was followed by a heartbreaking first-round defeat to Dayana Yastremska in straight sets at Wimbledon, which may well be fresh in Gauff’s mind as she begins her US Open campaign.
Gauff makes coaching change ahead of 2025 US Open
Double faults and an inconsistent service game remain the main issues in the run up to the final Grand Slam of 2025, and ahead of taking to the court in New York City, the American has made a major change.
Gauff fired her coach Matthew Daly on the eve of the tournament, and has turned to Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics specialist who was instrumental in solving Sabalenka’s service issues.
“It was a very sudden decision,” she told reporters ahead of the US Open.
“Gavin became available. I just felt this was the best decision for my game, and I had to go with what I was feeling.
“I know Gavin has had experience with this before, so hoping I can just take on his knowledge and see what can happen.”
Top coach backs Gauff’s big decision
While the timing of Gauff’s coaching change surprised many, Rick Macci, the former coach of both Venus and Serena Williams, believes it was a no brainer for Coco and her dad.
“Asked is this a big gamble for Coco to blow things up before the Open. No,” Macci tweeted.
“Serve already being blown up by herself by non-science based information that did not change the muscle memory or location.
“Dad and daughter knew this was mandatory career changing decision they had to make as a pair if she to ever wanted to vacation someday in rare air.”
With MacMillan in her box, Gauff will hope for instant improvements to her service game.
And if she can get the double faults back under control, more tears could flow from both her and dad Corey if a second US Open title follows.
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