How 18-year-old Coco Gauff has been handling the pressure of being sole breadwinner of her family
Teenage sensation Coco Gauff made the semifinals of the 2022 French Open, barely two weeks after graduating and receiving her high school diploma.
The talented youngster has been termed the next big thing in women's tennis ever since her win against Venus Williams at Wimbledon at the age of 15. Such expectations come with a lot of pressure.
But that is not the only big responsibility on the 18-year-old's shoulders. Coco Gauff has reportedly been providing for her family for the better part of the last three years after her parents, father Corey and mother Candi, gave up the restaurants they owned.
They have been quite invested in daughter Coco's tennis career ever since her breakthrough on the WTA tour and her father also serves as one of her coaches.
Does the fact that she is the sole income provider for her family add more pressure on the American teenager? Well, going by her approach to life, which she gave a glimpse of after her quarterfinal victory at the French Open, it seems that Coco Gauff is quite mature and is learning to manage her thoughts the right way.
"Even last year, I think I was too focused on trying to fulfill other people's expectations. Just enjoy life. No matter how good or bad my career is, I think Iām a great person," Gauff said in her on-court interview after the match against Sloane Stephens.
"That's a message for all the young players out here: Your results, your job, or how much money you make, doesn't define you as a person. Just know that if you love yourself, who cares what anyone else thinks," she expressed.
Gauff lives with her parents and two younger brothers, Codey and Cameron.
My dad gives great reactions when I win a point: Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff's father, Corey, is one of the most animated personalities in the teenager's camp. After her match against Alison Van Uytvanck at the ongoing French Open, Gauff spoke about her parents' reactions during her matches, and how she tends to look up towards them after winning a point.
"My mom is there really to tell him when he's going, doing too much. But a lot of times I have learned not to look so much as (A) when I lose a point and more when I win because he does give great reactions when I win a point," she said in a press conference after her second-round match.
Proud parents š
#Wimbledon | @CocoGauff https://t.co/IPVdZIPREF
While she doesn't always like it, Gauff admitted that she herself gets too excited when watching her brother play basketball or baseball.
"I'm the same though. When my brother is playing his basketball or baseball games I like throw my hands up, and as much as I hate when my dad does it, I do it. I know probably my brothers hate it too," the World No. 23 expressed.
The American will face Martine Trevisan in the semifinals on Thursday.