Let’s get one thing straight—Coco Vandeweghe didn’t just stumble into athletic greatness. Nah, her DNA is basically a cheat code. Why? Because Robert Mullarkey and Tauna Vandeweghe, a.k.a. Coco Vandeweghe’s parents, are the kind of people you’d get if an Olympic swimmer and a Wall Street analyst walked into a bar and decided to raise a tennis phenom.
And that’s exactly what they did. So buckle up—we’re diving into the real story behind the serve, the sass, and the legacy.
Tauna Vandeweghe: Olympic Mom Mode = Activated
First up, Tauna Vandeweghe.
This woman is a walking, talking, medal-chasing, two-sport athlete machine. She swam in the 1976 Montreal Olympics (no big deal), and then just for kicks, pivoted into professional volleyball—and snagged a silver medal at the 1983 Pan American Games. Who does that?!
This wasn’t just soccer mom energy. This was full-blown, “I beat the world in two sports” energy.
And here’s the kicker: she did it all before she even had Coco.
“Tauna basically told the universe: hold my Gatorade, I’m about to rewrite what women athletes can do.”
If you’re into health and fitness (and let’s be real, you probably should be if you’re raising an athlete), you can check out this Olympian-approved resistance band set on Amazon. Because if it’s good enough for Tauna, it’s good enough for us mortals.
Robert Mullarkey: The Quiet Power Move
On the other side of the parenting spectrum, we’ve got Robert Mullarkey. Now, you might not see his name plastered across the tabloids or trending on X (formerly Twitter), but behind every champion is someone making sure the bills are paid, the contracts are solid, and the future is secure.
That’s Robert.
Wall Street guy. Former securities analyst at First Boston Corporation. Translation: He was the guy making power moves in finance while his wife was out there winning medals and raising future Wimbledon contenders.
He’s not flashy. He’s the kind of dad who doesn’t need the spotlight because he is the spotlight—in the way that dimly lit, high-stakes boardrooms can be. You get it.
Athletic Genes On Steroids (Not Literally, Chill)
Here’s where things get wild:
- Coco’s grandfather, Ernie Vandeweghe, played for the New York Knicks.
- Her grandmother, Colleen Kay Hutchins, was Miss America 1952.
- Her uncle, Kiki Vandeweghe, was an NBA All-Star and GM of the Denver Nuggets.
Yeah. You read that right.
Coco Vandeweghe is basically sports royalty. She was born into a legacy where not being great at sports would’ve been the bigger flex.
“Hey Coco, what’d you do today?”
“Oh, just turned pro in tennis. Thought I’d keep the family legacy alive.”
The Making of Coco Vandeweghe
So now we know where she came from—but how did Coco Vandeweghe become COCO VANDEWEGHE (all caps, baby)?
She picked up a tennis racket at 11 years old, and like most 11-year-olds, probably just wanted to smash stuff. Except, she never stopped smashing—balls, opponents, expectations.
Fast forward a few years, and she’s serving at 120+ mph, making semifinals in both the US Open and Australian Open in 2017, and racking up WTA titles like it’s casual.
Her mom was courtside. Her dad, somewhere making sure the taxes were paid. You love to see it.
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The Vandeweghe-Mullarkey Parenting Blueprint
Now, I know what you’re thinking.
“David, how the heck do I raise a Coco?”
Well, here’s what the Robert Mullarkey + Tauna Vandeweghe formula looks like:
- Olympic work ethic ✔
- Mental toughness ✔
- Strategic financial stability ✔
- Genetics straight outta Marvel ✔
- A whole lotta love ✔
These two didn’t hover. They didn’t micromanage. They supported. They coached. They showed up. And more importantly—they let Coco be Coco.
And that’s what makes them parenting legends.
Final Serve: Why Coco’s Parents Matter
At the end of the day, the story of Coco Vandeweghe’s parents—Robert Mullarkey and Tauna Vandeweghe—isn’t just about their own accolades.
It’s about the ripple effect of showing up for your kids. It’s about handing them a legacy and saying, “Do better than me.”
And honestly? Coco’s out there doing exactly that.
So next time you’re watching her crush a forehand winner or deliver an ace like it’s free candy—remember, two MVPs are sitting in the stands: Tauna and Robert.
And hey, if you’re a parent or coach trying to raise the next Coco, start by investing in your kid—and maybe a portable tennis net for your backyard.
TL;DR (But Honestly, Read the Whole Thing):
Coco Vandeweghe’s parents, Tauna Vandeweghe and Robert Mullarkey, are the ultimate mix of Olympic-level athleticism and Wall Street brains. Together, they created an environment that let Coco thrive into one of tennis’ fiercest competitors—and yeah, probably the coolest last name in tennis too.
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She’s apparently single, find her on Instagram here.
