Coco Gauff, the prodigious tennis sensation who, at the tender age of 15, became the youngest qualifier in Wimbledon history and bested Venus Williams in the first round, has taken a step back from the court to cherish some quality time with her family. Known for her unflinching faith and spiritual grounding, Gauff’s time off the court has been marked by her return to the church and family bonds, underlining the significance of her religious heritage.
Belonging to the Saint John Missionary Baptist Church where she actively participates in the choir, Gauff has consistently underscored the role of her faith in her life and career. Her pre-match ritual of praying with her father, a practice she has maintained since the age of 8, is a testament to her belief. Following a few disappointing performances at the Qatar Open and the Dubai Open, Gauff returned to her sanctuary, the church, to gain solace and strength for her upcoming matches.
Gauff’s mother, a former track and field athlete from Florida State University, recently posted a series of pictures on Instagram, documenting their family celebrations of Lee Legacy weekend and Black History at their church. The Gauff family is no stranger to celebrating their faith collectively. In 2024, the family had gathered at the church to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, an event Gauff had warmly celebrated on her Instagram story.
Delving deeper into the Gauff family’s spiritual journey, it’s noteworthy that Gauff, a winner of 9 WTA Tour-level singles titles, religiously reads the Bible daily. This practice offers a unique window into the faith that has held her steady amidst her tumultuous 2025 tennis season.
Despite a rocky start to the season marked by early exits at the AO quarterfinals, the Qatar Open, and the Dubai Open, Gauff’s spirit remains unscathed. She has managed to achieve a feat many 20-year-old tennis players only dream of: a Grand Slam victory! Her grateful acknowledgment of God after every match, irrespective of the outcome, speaks volumes about her deep-rooted faith.
As per her interview with the New York Times, Gauff’s prayers are not about victory but about safety for her and her opponent, offering a profound glimpse into her spiritual character. Gauff’s spiritual grounding also helped her navigate through the heartbreak of her defeat by Iga Swiatek at the Roland-Garros final in 2022. She saw this setback as a trial from God, making her eventual Grand Slam win at Flushing Meadows all the more gratifying.
Furthermore, Gauff’s habit of reading the Bible and journaling her thoughts serves as a therapeutic exercise that helps her process her emotions and thoughts, giving her a better understanding of her life and career. As she strives to turn her season around, Gauff’s unwavering faith and familial support will undoubtedly be her guiding stars. Will her faithful followers see the young tennis star bounce back and regain her form? We await with bated breath.