Coco Gauff's mother Candi celebrates her daughter fulfilling father's basketball wish with latest investment endeavor
Coco Gauff recently turned into an investor as she became one of the sponsors of Unrivaled, a women's 3v3 basketball league featuring six teams. The opening ceremony of Unrivaled is set to take place on January 17, and the league will feature several WNBA stars, including Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.
2023 US Open winner Coco Gauff announced the investment news on her Instagram handle, mentioning that she had fulfilled her father's wish and 'switching sport' to basketball.
"I'm switching sports! My dad always wanted me to follow in his footsteps and play basketball. Haha sorry dad but this is as close as it will get 🤣. In all seriousness, I’m incredibly my grateful to get the opportunity to uplift women’s sports and I am super excited to join the @Unrivaledwbb family 💜💜💜 I can’t wait to watch!!," Gauff posted on her Instagram story."
The 20-year-old's father Corey Gauff played basketball at the collegiate level, and according to Gauff, he always wanted her to be associated with the sport. However, the World No. 3 chose to carve out a career in tennis.
Echoing Corey Gauff's wish, Coco Gauff's mother Candi Gauff reposted Unrivaled's Instagram post on her story and celebrated the achievement, writing:
"@coreygauff basketball via tennis."
Coco Gauff began her 2025 season on a positive note; she helped Team USA clinch the 2025 United Cup by beating Poland in the finals on January 5, Sunday. The American clinched a second successive victory over World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, defeating the Pole 6-4, 6-4.
Coco Gauff opened up about her mother's support
In a press conference ahead of her WTA Finals last season, Coco Gauff opened up about her bond with her mother, Candi Gauff. The World No. 3 said there is no better bond than that of a mother and daughter.
Highlighting her parents' support throughout her career, Gauff said:
"Yeah, I mean, both my parents are constant support all the time," Gauff said. "My mom, it's just a motherly thing. There's nothing like a mother daughter relationship. Especially in swings like Asia where it maybe is more isolated than usual, we just play Uno lot."
Commenting on an argument she and her mother recently had, she added:
"We actually didn't argue. Yesterday I think was the first time we argued a little bit because we spend too much time with each other. It wasn't an argument, but we just get annoyed."
Coco Gauff is now gearing up to compete at the Australian Open, which will commence on January 12 and end on January 26, 2025. Her best run at the Major came last year, where she reached the semifinals, losing to eventual winner Aryna Sabalenka.