Coco Gauff gave fans a glimpse into her personal life during a lighthearted Q&A for the 2025 Cincinnati Open, sharing what she sees as a major “green flag” in her relationship with boyfriend Jalen Sera. The 21-year-old star admitted that patience is the quality she cherishes most in her partner.
What Did Coco Gauff Share About Her Boyfriend Jalen Sera’s Most Admirable Trait?
The video was part of a promotional series for the tournament and offered fans a glimpse into Gauff’s personal life away from the court. When asked about her love language in the video, Gauff revealed that “acts of service” make her feel most cared for, though she noted she appreciates multiple gestures of affection.
“I think acts of service. I mean, it’s multiple things, but I think that one just makes me the happiest.”
But it was the follow-up question about green flags that prompted her to highlight patience as a standout quality in her relationship. “When they listen (laughs)… No, patience. I know I can be like very much, I want things done my way, so my boyfriend’s a really patient person,” Gauff said in the clip.
View this post on Instagram
The video was released shortly after her Cincinnati Open campaign ended in the quarterfinals. In Cincinnati, second-seeded Gauff battled past Wang Xinyu, 32nd-seeded Dayana Yastremska via walkover, and Lucia Bronzetti before falling 6-2, 4-6, 3-6 to seventh-seeded Jasmine Paolini in a rematch of their Italian Open final earlier this season.
Jasmine Paolini wins against Coco Gauff with a sensational comeback in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open 👏 pic.twitter.com/OfdqyWzfBW
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) August 16, 2025
Gauff and Sera’s Bond Dates Back to Before Her Tennis Glory
Gauff and Sera’s relationship has a unique backstory that predates her rise on the WTA Tour. Sera once happened to be a fourth-grade student in the classroom of Gauff’s mother, Candi, a former track athlete who transitioned into teaching.
In an April 2024 interview with TIME, Gauff recalled how her mother always remembered Sera as a “smart, nice kid.” Years later, when the two reconnected as young adults, that early connection grew into a lasting relationship.
“My mom always said, if they’re bad in school, they’re probably bad as adults. He’s always been a smart, nice kid,” Gauff shared.
Though she long kept her personal life private, Gauff has opened up about dating someone outside the tennis world. She called the experience “refreshing,” explaining that being with a partner who isn’t involved in the sport gives her “a fresh perspective.”
