"Many people approach my parents" - Coco Gauff sheds light on her family getting "used to saying no" to avoid bothering her
Coco Gauff has opened up on how her parents have become used to saying no. The World No. 2's admission came after she was asked about her folks adapting to life as members of an elite player's team on the WTA Tour.
Gauff's father, Corey, and mother, Candi, have both been featured constantly in her box over the years. However, things have changed radically for them since the American made her WTA Tour debut back in 2018, when she was only 14 years old. The 20-year-old now finds herself among the best players in women's tennis, with her 2023 US Open title triumph having further propelled her into the limelight.
Right now, Gauff is preparing to start her 2024 Wimbledon campaign, five years after she made her debut at the prestigious grasscourt Major. At a pre-tournament press conference, she was asked about the biggest change that she has seen in her parents since becoming one of women's tennis' standout performers.
The World No. 2 said that early on in her career, her parents would answer in the affirmative to almost every request from fans. However, as Gauff garnered more and more fans, both Corey and Candi realized that saying yes to everything would mean greater bother for their daughter.
"My parents have gotten used to saying no. Many people approach them if they want something from me: at first they said yes to everything, to any signature... then it becomes more and more, and more, and they reach a point where they don't want to bother me so much," Gauff said.
Gauff went on to say that Corey and Candi have come to the realization that she has "matured", and are often dejected when they have to reject advances from fans. However, the reigning US Open champion also stated that "sometimes people don't realize the weight of what they ask".
"They (Corey and Candi) have realized that I have matured, and they have gotten used to feeling sad about having to say no to some things. Sometimes people don't realize the weight of what they ask," Coco Gauff added.
"They're just really my support system" - Coco Gauff laid bare her parents' importance in her team during the 2023 US Open
After her resounding quarterfinal win over Jelena Ostapenko at the 2023 US Open, Gauff told the media about the importance of her parents in her team. According to Gauff, Corey and Candi are a "support system" for her on the hectic WTA Tour.
"They're just really my support system. They're helping me remember, you know, my clothes and everything, and my dad is still sending me scouting reports for every match. But my mom is more so, you know, just being mom. My dad just being dad other than the scouting report part," Coco Gauff said.
The 20-year-old is set to kickstart her 2024 Wimbledon campaign against compatriot Caroline Dolehide on Monday, July 1. Coco Gauff will also feature in the doubles event alongside Jessica Pegula.