Coco Gauff revealed a special message from her father is imprinted on her tennis shoe. The American blew away Magdalena Frech 6-1, 6-2 in the Australian Open fourth round to reach the quarterfinal stage.
Gauff, who won the 2023 US Open, is continuing her fine form Down Under and targeting back-to-back Grand Slam wins. And she’s doing it all with the support of her mom and dad.
Many noticed multiple messages on her shoes during the win and Gauff revealed exactly what was written.
She replied: “A lot of things written. One is ‘You can change the world with your racquet.’ Something my dad told me since I was a little girl. It’s an inspiration for why I feel it’s important to speak up about certain issues.
“Another thing is the coordinates to the park I grew up at in Pompey Park. I grew up playing on public tennis courts in Del Rey Beach Florida.
“The last thing, I have my little brothers’ name on the show. I love you guys. Cameron just got MVP for his football team. So I’m really proud of you Cam.
“Sometimes when my mom thinks I’m negative when I look down, I’m just looking at my shoe just a reminder that life is much more than tennis. How I do on the court does not define me as a person.
“That goes for everyone. Your workplace, whatever you do doesn’t define you as a person. Just surround yourself with good people. Everything I do on court is a plus to my life. I have everything I need. This is just all extra.”
Gauff’s parents were at the match, although the 19-year-old admitted much of what her dad says is not appropriate for daytime viewing.
“My dad is here. I don’t know where,” she said. “But he’s here somewhere. My mom does better at holding her nerves in the box. Sometimes my dad says some words that I can’t say right here. And then I hear them and I get mad. We agreed he can go say them somewhere else around here. If you guys see him tell him I said hello”
Gauff’s dad moved away from the player’s box during the US Open. Because of her triumph, Gauff was asked if it’s now become something superstitious for the pair.
She explained:”My dad is incredibly superstitious. Wimbledon was probably the last time I’ll ever see him in my box. I don’t think he’s ever coming back”
