In a rare glimpse into her personal life, American tennis sensation Coco Gauff has finally confirmed her relationship with Atlanta-based musician and aspiring actor Jalen Sera, marking a new chapter in her off-court journey.
After months of subtle posts, shared moments in the stands, and quiet public outings, Gauff officially revealed that she and Sera have been together for two years. The confirmation came in a heartwarming moment during a promotional video for BOSE, where Gauff blushed as she listened to a sweet ‘I love you’ audio message from her boyfriend, calling it their anniversary.
Coco Gauff Met Jalen Sera Long Before Tennis Fame
What sets Gauff and Sera’s relationship apart is its unique backstory, one that began long before she rose to fame on the WTA Tour. Sera, born in Durham, North Carolina, and raised in Atlanta, was once a fourth-grade student of Coco’s mother, Candi Gauff, a former track athlete turned educator.
As Gauff revealed in her April 2024 interview with TIME, her mother had a soft spot for Sera even back then, calling him a “smart, nice kid.” That early connection resurfaced years later when Gauff and Sera reconnected as young adults, forging a bond that eventually grew into a 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 revealed.
Despite the public curiosity surrounding Gauff’s personal life, she’s long kept her romantic relationships private. That changed gradually as she began to open up about dating someone outside the tennis world. In the same TIME profile, she called the experience “refreshing,” explaining that being with someone who doesn’t live and breathe tennis gives her “a fresh perspective.”
“This is my first real relationship. To just have someone to talk to who is not involved in tennis at all gives me a fresh perspective,” Gauff said.
A Partner Behind the Scenes
Sera has been Gauff’s emotional anchor during high-stakes moments, including the 2023 US Open final. In an interview ahead of that match, Gauff revealed that the couple talked late into the night before her biggest match to date, with Sera helping to calm her nerves and offering the emotional support she needed. The next day, she lifted her first Grand Slam title.
“Last night, I started (to get into my own head) a little bit, but honestly, I just called my boyfriend, and I told him let’s talk until it’s time to go to sleep so we spoke until 1:00 a.m. and then I went to sleep,” Coco Gauff said in her press conference at the time.
Sera hasn’t just shown up solo; he’s also been spotted attending Gauff’s matches with her family, including during her appearances in Miami.
After her win at the Italian Open, he called her a “warrior” in a social media post, and recently shared a celebratory message for Gauff as she lifted her second Grand Slam singles trophy at the French Open.
Their mutual admiration became more visible in November 2024 when Gauff shared festival photos of the two from Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw, where fans were quick to pick up on their chemistry.
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A Tender Moment Caught on Camera
The most direct acknowledgment of their relationship came during a promotional video filmed by BOSE. As part of a playful game, Gauff was challenged to identify familiar voices, from the sound of a tennis ball opening to her parents’ voices.
When she heard a soft message that said, “Just wanted to say you’re the absolute coolest person ever. I’m so proud of you. You’re doing great and I love you,” Gauff’s reaction said it all. She beamed and confirmed, “That’s my boyfriend,” adding, “Today’s actually our two-year anniversary.”