Let’s get this out of the way—Coco Gauff is a beast on the tennis court. But before we get lost in highlight reels and trophies, let’s talk about the real engine behind her success: her mom, Candi Gauff.
Yeah, we said it—Coco Gauff’s mother is the unsung hero in this whole story. And once you get the full scoop, you’ll understand why this family is built different.
From Track Queen to Tennis Mom
Candi wasn’t just “athletic in high school.” No. She was that girl. Candi Odom (before she was a Gauff) dominated the Florida track scene in the ’80s and ’90s. We’re talking state titles, scholarships, and full-blown athletic beast mode.
She ran track and competed in heptathlons at Florida State University. If you’re unfamiliar, a heptathlon is basically seven ways to punish your body. High jump, long jump, hurdles—you name it. So yeah, when Coco was born in 2004, she inherited something serious in the genetics department.
Raising Coco: This Wasn’t an Accident
A lot of people say things like, “Wow, she came out of nowhere!” when athletes like Coco blow up.
Wrong.
This wasn’t magic. It was design. Candi and her husband, Corey Gauff (who played basketball at Georgia State), made a family-level decision: if Coco had potential, they’d go all-in. That meant Candi walked away from her career as an educator to homeschool Coco. That’s not a small thing, folks. Giving up your own goals to invest 100% into your kid? That’s Hall of Fame parenting.
“My Job Wasn’t Coaching Her Swing—It Was Coaching Her Mind.”
That’s how Candi explained it in an interview. Corey handled the forehands and footwork. Candi handled everything else.
When things got tough? She was the calm.
When pressure got heavy? She was the anchor.
When Coco needed to reset? She was the voice in her head saying, “You’re enough.”
If you’ve ever seen Candi in the stands, you know—she’s not the over-the-top, scream-at-the-umpire mom. She’s composed. Focused. And always locked in on Coco.
Let’s Be Honest: Tennis Parenting Is a Full-Time Grind
Look, driving your kid to practice is one thing.
Relocating cities?
Paying for coaches?
Flying to junior tournaments across the country?
Whole different ballgame.
The Gauffs left Atlanta and moved back to Delray Beach, Florida—specifically for better tennis training. That’s the kind of investment most people say they’d make, but Candi and Corey actually did it. You don’t raise a Grand Slam champ without serious sacrifice.
Products Inspired by the Gauff Grind
If you’re a tennis parent or just someone who grinds every day, here are a few tools and gear you might love—just like the Gauffs probably used at some point:
- 🎾 Wilson Blade 98 V8 Tennis Racket – Coco’s racket of choice. Lightweight, powerful, no-nonsense.
- 📚 Thrive – A Guide for Parents: How to Raise Elite Athletes by Audrey Akins – Real advice from parents of elite athletes.
- 🥤 Hydro Flask Water Bottle – Because Coco trained in Florida. You try that heat without hydration.
- 🏃♀️ Saucony Women’s Running Shoes – Candi’s track athlete genes didn’t come from lounging.
The Mom Behind the Mic Drops
Coco isn’t just a great player—she’s smart, articulate, and emotionally grounded. You don’t get that without the right guidance.
In interviews, Coco credits her mom often. She once said:
“My mom taught me how to stay composed, how to pray when I feel overwhelmed, and how to bounce back from anything.”
That’s what real leadership looks like.
And if you think that’s cheesy, try raising a teenager while traveling the globe, dealing with media, managing nerves, and still showing up with grace.
Candi Gauff does it all—and she makes it look easy.
Why Candi Gauff’s Story Hits Different
We live in a world where everyone’s looking for the shortcut. The hack. The overnight win.
But Candi Gauff reminds us of something way more powerful:
➡️ Show up consistently.
➡️ Do the unsexy stuff.
➡️ Love hard, even when it’s hard.
That’s how you build a Coco Gauff.
And maybe, just maybe, that’s how we should all build our lives.
Final Word: Coco Gauff’s Mother is Her Secret Weapon
From the track to the homeschool desk, from the stands to behind-the-scenes planning—Candi Gauff has been there every step of the way.
So yeah, Coco Gauff is a tennis phenom.
But never forget the name behind the name: Coco Gauff’s mother, Candi Gauff.
Because while the world watches Coco win matches…
Candi already won the long game.
Find Candi Gauff on Instagram here.
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