Coco Gauff Credits Dad Corey for Confidence After Cincinnati Open Win

Coco Gauff shared an emotional tribute to her father, Corey Gauff, after advancing at the Cincinnati Open with a comeback victory over Liudmila Samsonova.

The American Tennis star overcame a difficult opening set to defeat Samsonova 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the first round. Following the match, Gauff dedicated part of her on-court remarks to her father, who was celebrating his 55th birthday at home in Florida.

Coco Gauff Credits Her Father for Her Tennis Journey

Gauff explained that Corey has played a major role in her development as a tennis player and in the confidence she carries onto the court.

She revealed that her father has always maintained an extremely strong belief in her abilities, even imagining her beating the best players in the world.

Gauff highlighted this belief by joking that if it were up to her father, he would say she could beat anyone, even Carlos Alcaraz.

For Gauff, that unwavering confidence represents one of the most important things her father has given her throughout her career.

Gauff Sends Message to Tennis Dads

The three-time Grand Slam champion also used the moment to deliver an important message to fathers of young female tennis players.

Gauff urged tennis dads to avoid putting excessive pressure on their daughters and instead help them find enjoyment in the sport.

According to Gauff, the most valuable lesson her father instilled in her was to have fun while playing tennis.

That approach has remained an important part of Gauff’s journey from a young Florida tennis player to one of the leading stars on the WTA Tour.

Corey Gauff’s Influence on Coco’s Career

Gauff grew up in Florida, where her father played an important role in her sporting development. Corey previously played college basketball at Georgia State University before becoming closely involved in his daughter’s tennis career.

His influence has extended beyond technical aspects of the sport. Gauff’s comments suggest that the confidence and enjoyment he encouraged have helped shape her mentality during difficult moments.

Gauff Reflects on Wimbledon and Canadian Open Losses

Gauff’s Cincinnati campaign followed semifinal appearances at both Wimbledon and the Canadian Open.

At Wimbledon, she narrowly missed out on a place in the final after losing to Karolina Muchova in a deciding match tiebreak. At the Canadian Open, Elena Rybakina defeated Gauff 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinal.

Despite those setbacks, Gauff said she did not view the results simply as frustrating defeats. Instead, she focused on the progress she had made and the improvements in her game.

Gauff Sees Progress Against Tough Opponents

The American star particularly emphasized her improved performances against players who had previously caused her significant problems.

Gauff believes that the adjustments she has made to her game are helping her compete more effectively against difficult opponents. Rather than dwelling on missed opportunities, she is focusing on trusting those changes and continuing to improve.

What’s Next for Coco Gauff?

After defeating Samsonova in Cincinnati, Gauff moved into the next round of the tournament, where she is scheduled to face Ann Li.

With the US Open approaching, Gauff will be looking to build momentum during the Cincinnati Open. Her comeback victory against Samsonova provided an encouraging start, while her father’s birthday tribute offered a reminder of the personal support behind her professional success.