Coco Gauff Celebrates Cincinnati R2 Victory with Heartfelt Birthday Tribute to Her Dad

World No. 2 Coco Gauff delivered a stellar performance in her opening match at the Cincinnati Open, but her post-match moment stole the show. After fighting back to seal her Round 2 win, Gauff took the mic to send a special birthday wish to her father and mentor, Corey Gauff, who was celebrating his 55th birthday.

The emotional tribute highlighted the deep bond between the American star and her father, giving fans a candid look into what drives her relentless competitive spirit on court.

"He Believes I Can Beat Anyone, Even Alcaraz"

During her on-court interview, Gauff shared how her father’s supreme confidence in her abilities gives her ultimate belief and mental strength. She revealed that no matter who stands on the other side of the net, her dad has always instilled a fearless mindset in her.

• Unshakable Belief: Gauff explained that her dad’s encouragement is the reason she plays tennis with so much power and drive.

• Fearless Mindset: Expressing how high his belief goes, Gauff revealed her father insists she can beat anyone—even ATP superstar Carlos Alcaraz!

• Pure Motivation: Having her family in her corner gives her the inner power to face any challenge, fight back from tough situations, and play without fear.

Building Momentum for the Title Defense

With her father’s belief fueling her, Gauff showed tremendous grit on court, refusing to give up and pushing through tough moments to secure her spot in the next round.

As the hard-court swing heats up ahead of Flushing Meadows, Coco Gauff’s powerful play—backed by her family's unwavering faith—makes her one of the most formidable forces on the WTA tour.