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June 6, 2024 • 17 mins

Cori Dionne "Coco" Gauff, born on March 13, 2004, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Candi and Corey Gauff, was destined for greatness from the very beginning. Growing up in a family of athletes, with her father having played college basketball at Georgia State University and her mother being a former gymnast and track athlete at Florida State University, Coco was exposed to the world of sports from an early age. Her family's love for athletics and their unwavering support would prove to be the foundation upon which Coco would build her remarkable tennis career. When Coco was just six years old, her family made the decision to move to Delray Beach, Florida, a location known for its vibrant tennis community. It was here that Coco first picked up a tennis racket and began to develop her skills on the court. Inspired by the incredible success and resilience of Venus and Serena Williams, two of the greatest tennis players of all time, Coco quickly fell in love with the sport and showed an innate talent that belied her young age. Recognizing their daughter's immense potential, Candi and Corey made the decision to fully support Coco's tennis career. They invested countless hours and resources into her training, providing her with the best possible coaching and facilities to help her develop her skills. Coco's parents also instilled in her a strong work ethic and a belief in herself, knowing that these qualities would be essential for success in the highly competitive world of professional tennis. As Coco continued to train and improve, it became clear that she was no ordinary player. Her natural athleticism, coupled with her determination and drive, set her apart from her peers. Coco's parents, recognizing that their daughter needed to be challenged at a higher level, made the difficult decision to homeschool her so that she could dedicate more time to her training. This sacrifice would prove to be a turning point in Coco's career, allowing her to focus all of her energy on becoming the best tennis player she could be.
Coco's junior career was nothing short of remarkable, marked by a string of impressive victories and record-breaking achievements. At the tender age of 10, she won the USTA Clay Court National 12-and-under title, showcasing her incredible talent and potential on one of tennis's most challenging surfaces. This victory was a sign of things to come, as Coco continued to dominate her age group and attract the attention of tennis experts around the world. Recognizing the need for Coco to train with the best in order to reach her full potential, her family made the decision to send her to the prestigious Mouratoglou Academy in France. Founded by Patrick Mouratoglou, the coach of Serena Williams, the academy is known for producing some of the world's top tennis players. Coco's time at the academy would prove to be transformative, as she was able to work with some of the best coaches in the world and train alongside other talented young players. In 2017, at the age of 13, Coco made history by becoming the youngest finalist in the history of the US Open girls' singles tournament. This achievement was a testament to her incredible talent and hard work, and it put her on the radar of tennis fans around the world. Coco's success at the US Open was just the beginning, however, as she would go on to achieve even greater things in the years to come. In 2018, Coco won the French Open junior singles title, becoming the youngest player to do so since 1994. This victory was a landmark achievement for Coco, as it demonstrated her ability to compete and win at the highest level of junior tennis. Coco's success at the French Open also earned her a wildcard entry into the qualifying rounds of Wimbledon, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world. Coco's junior career was marked by a series of impressive victories and record-breaking achievements, but it was also characterized by a level of maturity and poise that belied her young age. Coco's ability to handle pressure and maintain her composure on the court was remarkable, and it would serve her well as she transitioned to the professional ranks. Her junior career laid a solid foundation for her future success, and it was clear that Coco was destined for greatness in the world of tennis. Coco Gauff's breakthrough moment came at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, where she took the tennis world by storm with her incredible run to the fourth round. At just 15 years old, Coco became the youngest player to qualify for the main draw at Wimbledon in the Open Era, a testament to her immense talent and potential. In her opening match, Coco faced off against one of her idols, Venus Williams, in a highly anticipated clash on Court One. Despite the pressure of the moment and the overwhelming support for her opponent, Coco displayed remarkable poise and composure, defeating Venus in straight sets (6-4, 6-4). This stunning upset sent shockwaves through the tennis world and
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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Corey Dion Coco Goff, born onMarch thirteenth, two thousand and four,
in Atlanta, Georgia, to Candyand Corey Goff, was destined for greatness
from the very beginning. Growing upin a family of athletes, with her
father having played college basketball at GeorgiaState University and her mother being a former
gymnast and track athlete at Florida StateUniversity, Coco was exposed to the world

(00:21):
of sports from an early age.Her family's love for athletics and their unwavering
support would prove to be the foundationupon which Coco would build her remarkable tennis
career. When Coco was just sixyears old, her family made the decision
to move to Delray Beach, Florida, a location known for its vibrant tennis
community. It was here that Cocofirst picked up a tennis racket and began

(00:43):
to develop her skills on the court. Inspired by the incredible success and resilience
of Venus and Serena Williams, twoof the greatest tennis players of all time,
Coco quickly fell in love with thesport and showed an innate talent that
belied her young age. Recognizing theirdaughters and men potential. Candy and Corey
made the decision to fully support Koko'stennis career. They invested countless hours and

(01:07):
resources into her training, providing herwith the best possible coaching and facilities to
help her develop her skills. Koko'sparents also instilled in her a strong work
ethic and a belief in herself,knowing that these qualities would be essential for
success in the highly competitive world ofprofessional tennis. As Koko continued to train

(01:29):
and improve, it became clear thatshe was no ordinary player. Her natural
athleticism, coupled with her determination anddrive, set her apart from her peers.
Koko's parents, recognizing that their daughterneeded to be challenged at a higher
level, made the difficult decision tohomeschool her so that she could dedicate more
time to her training. This sacrificewould prove to be a turning point in

(01:49):
Koko's career, allowing her to focusall of her energy on becoming the best
tennis player she could be. Koko'sjunior career was nothing short of remarkable,
marked by a string of impressive victoriesand record breaking achievements. At the tender
age of ten, she won theUsta clay Court National twelve and Under title,
showcasing her incredible talent and potential onone of tennis's most challenging surfaces.

(02:14):
This victory was a sign of thingsto come, as Coco continued to dominate
her age group and attract the attentionof tennis experts around the world. Recognizing
the need for Coco to train withthe best in order to reach her full
potential, her family made the decisionto send her to the prestigious Maritaglu Academy
in France, founded by Patrick Morideglu, the coach of Serena Williams, The

(02:36):
academy is known for producing some ofthe world's top tennis players. Coco's time
at the academy would prove to betransformative, as she was able to work
with some of the best coaches inthe world and train alongside other talented young
players. In twenty seventeen, atthe age of thirteen, Coco made history
by becoming the youngest finalist in thehistory of the US Open Girls Singles tournament.

(02:58):
This achievement was a test stimate toher incredible talent and hard work,
and it put her on the radarof tennis fans around the world. Coco's
success at the US Open was justthe beginning, however, as she would
go on to achieve even greater thingsin the years to come. In twenty
eighteen, Coco won the French OpenJunior singles title, becoming the youngest player

(03:19):
to do so since nineteen ninety four. This victory was a landmark achievement for
Coco, as it demonstrated her abilityto compete and win at the highest level
of junior tennis. Coco's success atthe French Open also earned her a wild
card entry into the qualifying rounds ofWimbledon, one of the most prestigious tournaments
in the world. Koko's junior careerwas marked by a series of impressive victories

(03:42):
and record breaking achievements, but itwas also characterized by a level of maturity
and poise that belied her young age. Koko's ability to handle pressure and maintain
her composure on the court was remarkable, and it would serve her well as
she transitioned to the professional ranks.Her junior career laid a solid foundation for
her future success, and it wasclear that Coco was destined for greatness in

(04:03):
the world of tennis. Coco Goff'sbreakthrough moment came at the twenty nineteen Wimbledon
Championships, where she took the tennisworld by storm with her incredible run to
the fourth round. At just fifteenyears old, Coco became the youngest player
to qualify for the main draw atWimbledon in the Open Era, a testament

(04:24):
to her immense talent and potential.In her opening match, Coco faced off
against one of her idols, VenusWilliams, in a highly anticipated clash on
Court one. Despite the pressure ofthe moment and the overwhelming support for her
opponent, Coco displayed remarkable poise andcomposure, defeating Venus in straight sets,
six four, six four. Thisstunning upset sent shock waves through the tennis

(04:46):
world and announced Coco as a forceto be reckoned with. Coco's Wimbledon run
didn't stop there, as she wenton to defeat Magdalena Ribrikova and Polona Harcog
in the second and third rounds respectively. Her third round match against Hercog was
particularly memorable, as Coco battled backfrom a set and a breakdown to win
in a thrilling three set encounter.This display of mental toughness and resilience endeared

(05:11):
Coco to fans around the world andsolidified her status as a rising star in
the sport. Although Coco's Wimbledon journeyeventually came to an end in the fourth
round, where she lost to theeventual champion, Simona Hallop, her performance
had already made a lasting impact.She had become the youngest player to reach
the second week at Wimbledon since JenniferCapriotti in nineteen ninety one, and her

(05:32):
name was now known to sports fansaround the globe. Coco's success at Wimbledon
was just the beginning of her professionalcareer, as she continued to make waves
on the WTA tour. Later thatyear, she reached the third round of
the US Open, showcasing her abilityto perform on the big stage once again.
In October twenty nineteen, Coco wonher first WTA singles title at the

(05:55):
Linz Open in Austria, becoming theyoungest singles title holder on the w TEA
since two thousand and four. Thisvictory was a milestone moment for Coco as
it demonstrated her ability to compete andwin at the highest level of professional tennis.
As Coco's career has progressed. Shehas continued to achieve impressive results and
reach new heights. In twenty twentyone, she reached the quarter finals of

(06:17):
the French Open, becoming the youngestplayer to do so since two thousand and
six. She also won her secondWTA singles title at the Amelia Romagna Open
in Italy, cementing her status asone of the most exciting young players on
the tour. Off the court,Coco has also made a significant impact,
using her platform to speak out onimportant social issues such as racial equality and

(06:42):
mental health. She has become arole model for young athletes around the world,
admired for her poise, confidence anddedication to making a positive difference in
the world. Looking ahead, thefuture is incredibly bright for Coco golf.
With her talent, work, ethic, and maturity beyond her years, she
has all the tools rules necessary tobecome one of the greatest players in the
history of the sport. As shecontinues to develop her game and gain experience

(07:06):
on the tour, there is nolimit to what she can achieve. Tennis
fans around the world will be watchingwith great anticipation. As Koko writes the
next chapter in her already remarkable story. Koko Goff's playing style is characterized by
a combination of power, athleticism,and strategic intelligence that belies her young age.

(07:27):
One of her greatest strengths is herserve, which is among the most
powerful and accurate on the WTA Tour. Koko's ability to consistently hit serves over
one hundred and fifteen miles per hourgives her a significant advantage in matches,
allowing her to dictate play from thestart of each point. In addition to
her serve, Koco is also knownfor her exceptional footwork and court coverage.

(07:49):
Her speed and agility allow her tochase down balls that would be out of
reach for most players, and herability to hit winners from defensive positions as
a testament to her incredible athleticism,Koko's movement on the court is one of
the key reasons why she is ableto compete with and often outplay, opponents
who are much more experienced than her. Another aspect of Koko's game that sets

(08:09):
her apart is her mental toughness andresilience under pressure. Even in the most
high stakes moments, Coco maintains alevel of composure and focus that is rare
for a player of her age.She has a unique ability to stay calm
and centered in the face of adversity, which allows her to make smart decisions
and execute her game plan even whenthe pressure is on. Koko's baseline game

(08:31):
is also a major strength, asshe is able to hit powerful ground strokes
from both wings with great consistency.Her forehand, in particular, is a
weapon that she uses to great effect, often dictating play and forcing her opponents
onto the defensive. Koko's backhand isalso very solid, and she is able
to use it effectively to change thedirection of the ball and keep her opponents

(08:52):
off balance. In addition to hertechnical skills, Koko is also a very
strategic player who is able to adapther game plan based on her opponent and
the conditions of the match. Shehas a high tennis IQ and is able
to read her opponent's tendencies and exploittheir weaknesses. This ability to think on
her feet and make adjustments mid matchis a key reason why Coco is able

(09:15):
to compete with and often outplay,more experienced opponents. Perhaps the most impressive
thing about Coco's playing style is howwell rounded it is for a player of
her age. While many young playersexcel in one or two areas of the
game, Coco has a complete skillset that allows her to compete on any
surface and against any type of opponent. As she continues to develop and refine

(09:37):
her game in the coming years,there is no doubt that Coco will become
one of the most formidable players onthe WTA Tour. Coco Goff's impact extends
far beyond her incredible achievements on thetennis court. From a young age,
she has shown a remarkable level ofmaturity and social consciousness, using her platform
to advocate for important causes and inspirepositive change in the world world. One

(10:01):
of the issues that Coco has beenmost vocal about is racial equality and social
justice. As a young black womanin a sport that has historically been dominated
by white players, Coco understands firsthandthe challenges and barriers that people of color
face in the world of tennis andbeyond. She has used her voice to
speak out against racism and discrimination andhas been a powerful advocate for the Black

(10:24):
Lives Matter movement. In the wakeof the tragic death of George Floyd in
twenty twenty Coco participated in a protestin her hometown of Delray Beach, Florida,
where she gave a moving speech callingfor an end to systemic racism and
police brutality. Her words resonated withpeople around the world and helped to inspire
a new generation of activists and advocates. Coco has also been a strong advocate

(10:46):
for mental health awareness, speaking openlyabout her own struggles with anxiety and the
importance of self care and support.She has encouraged other young athletes to prioritize
their mental health and seek help whenthey need it, and has worked to
distigmatize the conversation around mental illness andsports. So off the court, Coco
is known for her warmth, kindness, and generosity of spirit. She is

(11:09):
a role model to young people aroundthe world, not just for her incredible
athletic achievements, but for her characterand integrity as well. Coco's commitment to
using her platform for good has earnedher the admiration and respect of fans,
fellow athletes, and leaders in thesport. Looking ahead, there is no
doubt that Coco will continue to useher voice and influence to make a positive

(11:31):
impact on the world. As shegrows and evolves as a person and an
athlete, She has the potential tobecome one of the most important figures in
the history of tennis, both onand off the court. Her dedication to
social justice, mental health awareness,and other important causes is a testament to
her character and her commitment to makingthe world a better place. Despite her

(11:52):
young age, Coco Goff has alreadyachieved a remarkable number of milestones and accomplishments
in her professional tennis career. Someof her most notable achievements as of twenty
twenty four include multiple WTA singles titles. Coco has won several WTA singles titles,
including her first title at the LinzOpen in twenty nineteen at the age
of fifteen. She has continued toadd to her trophy collection in the years

(12:16):
since, cementing her status as oneof the most promising young players on the
tour. Deep runs in Grand Slamtournaments, Coco has made significant strides in
her performances at the Grand Slam tournaments, consistently reaching the later rounds and improving
her rankings. Her best result todate came at the twenty twenty one French
Open, where she reached the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Barbara kree

(12:39):
Tsikova. Olympic appearance, Coco representedthe United States at the Tokyo twenty twenty
Olympics, which were postponed to twentytwenty one due to the COVID nineteen pandemic.
Although she did not win a medal, her participation in the Olympics was
a significant achievement and a testament toher status as one of the top players
in the world. As impressive asKoko's achievements have been thus far, it

(13:03):
is clear that she has only scratchedthe surface of her incredible potential. With
her talent, work, ethic,and desire to be the best, there
is no doubt that Koco will continueto reach new heights in the years to
come. One of the most excitingthings about Coco's future prospects is her potential
to become a dominant force in women'stennis for years to come. With her

(13:24):
powerful game, mental toughness, andability to compete on any surface, Coco
has all the tools necessary to winmultiple Grand Slam titles and become one of
the greatest players in the history ofthe sport. As Coco continues to develop
and refine her skills. In thecoming years, it is likely that she
will become a regular fixture at thetop of the rankings and a perennial contender

(13:48):
for the biggest titles in tennis.Her performances in the Grand Slam tournaments in
particular, will be closely watched byfans and experts alike as she seeks to
establish herself as one of the mostsuccessful players of her generation. Off the
court, Koko's future prospects are justas bright. With her growing platform and
influence, she has the potential tobecome one of the most important voices in

(14:11):
the world of sports and beyond.Her dedication to social justice, mental health
awareness, and other important causes issure to inspire and motivate countless people around
the world, and her impact willbe felt for generations to come. As
Coco continues to grow and evolve asa person and an athlete, there is
no limit to what she can achieve. Her journey thus far has been nothing

(14:33):
short of remarkable, and the bestis yet to come. Tennis fans around
the world will be watching with greatexcitement and anticipation as Coco writes the next
chapter in her already incredible story.Coco Goff's rise to stardom in the world
of tennis has been nothing short ofremarkable. From her early days as a
talented junior player, to her breakoutperformance at Wimbledon in twenty nineteen and her

(14:54):
continued success on the WTA Tour,Koko has established herself as one of the
most exciting and promising young players inthe sport today. What sets Coco apart
from other players is not just herincredible talent and athleticism, but also her
maturity, poise, and character offthe court. At just twenty years old,

(15:16):
she has already become a role modeland inspiration to millions of people around
the world, using her platform toadvocate for important causes and make a positive
impact on society. As Coco continuesto develop and refine her skills in the
years to come, there is nodoubt that she will become one of the
most dominant forces in women's tennis.With her powerful game, mental toughness,

(15:37):
and ability to compete on any surface, she has all the tools necessary to
win multiple Grand Slam titles and establishherself as one of the greatest players of
her generation. Off the court,Coco's impact will be just as significant.
Her dedication to social justice, mentalhealth awareness, and other important causes will
continue to inspire and motivate people aroundthe world, and her voice will be

(16:00):
an important one in the ongoing fightfor equality and justice. Looking ahead,
the future is incredibly bright for CocoGoff. With her talent, work,
ethic, and character, she hasthe potential to become one of the most
successful and influential athletes in the historyof the sport. As she continues to
grow and evolve as a person anda player, her impact on the world

(16:21):
of tennis and beyond will only continueto grow. For aspiring young players and
fans around the world. Coco's journeyis a powerful reminder of what is possible
with hard work, dedication, anda commitment to making a positive impact on
the world. Her story is oneof resilience, determination, and the power
of the human spirit to overcome anyobstacle and achieve greatness. As we look

(16:45):
to the future of tennis in theworld of sports more broadly, there is
no doubt that Coco Goff will bea central figure and a driving force for
positive change. Her legacy will beone of excellence on the court and leadership
off of it and her impact willbe felt for generations to come.
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