Coco Gauff’s father, Corey, one of her biggest cheerleaders, has defended his daughter against an online bully who mocked her during her emotional struggles on court during the US Open.
The American tennis sensation broke down in tears during her US Open second-round match against Donna Vekic amid a heartbreaking struggle to hold her serve. While the tennis community has largely backed the 21-year-old American during her troubles in serving, some netizens have questioned her emotional response on court.
What Transpired in Corey Gauff vs ‘Hater’ Incident on Instagram
Recently, Wide World of Sports uploaded a clip of an emotional Gauff on its Instagram page. An individual reacted harshly, commenting, “She has to be the biggest crybaby on tour.”
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Corey wasn’t having any of it. Taking offense to the harsh comment, he responded swiftly: “A supposed man posting this laughable at the weak,” he snapped back.
Both Corey and Gauff’s mother, Candi, have rallied firmly behind their daughter as she has struggled emotionally amid her troubles with serving. Their support went beyond just defending her against critics.
Candi Gauff, reacting to Coco’s post on Instagram, delivered a message that mixed faith with encouragement. “Your task is not easy,” she wrote, “but you have been chosen. Accept the challenge with God’s grace and mercy.”
MORE: Coco Gauff’s Parents Send Emotional Messages to Her After Tearful US Open Match
Corey also encouraged his daughter, writing, “Trust in yourself, and we got you when you don’t got you all of them uncles and aunties watching you.”
He continued with a powerful message about vulnerability: “Expressing vulnerability is not a weakness but a strength, giving your best and your happiness is enough for me,” he wrote.
What Coco Gauff Has Revealed About Her Emotional Struggles Amid US Open
Gauff, who double-faulted and lost her serve at 4-4 in the first set of her second-round match against Vekic, has revealed why she lost her emotional composure on court.
“It feels human. I think being an athlete, people disregard that side of us, the human side of things. People say so many things like ‘#3 in the world, you’re doing this, you’re playing this, you should be better.’ If I stopped, didn’t pick up the racket tomorrow, I have a career so many people would dream of,” Gauff said during her on-court interview.
Her troubles mainly stem from service issues and a tendency to hit double-faults at crucial moments in matches. The American, who leads the tour in double faults, has shown inconsistent form following her historic Roland Garros triumph earlier this year.
After struggling through the US Open tune-up events, she boldly brought in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan. He is known for helping current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka transform her serve into a devastating weapon in 2022. Gauff will face 28th seed Magdalena Fręch in the third round of the US Open.
