Coco Gauff is all set to continue her 2026 Australian Open campaign as she takes on compatriot and long-time friend Hailey Baptiste in the third round on January 23. Baptiste has shared a strong emotional bond with Gauff off the court and also has a deep connection with the ATP star, Frances Tiafoe.
Hailey Baptiste Shares Close Personal Bond With Coco Gauff And Frances Tiafoe
Hailey Baptiste’s connection to Coco Gauff extends beyond the tennis court. The two grew up playing junior tennis together, and at a very early stage in their careers, their paths met.
At the 2018 US Open, Baptiste and Gauff played against each other in the girls’ doubles finals. Gauff, who was playing with Caty McNally at the time, beat the pair of Baptiste and Dalayna Hewitt.
The upcoming match at the Australian Open will be the second encounter between Baptiste and Gauff, following their 2023 match in Washington, which Gauff won in straight sets. After winning that match, Gauff was emotional in her on-court interview, recalling her junior days alongside Baptists and how they reached the level of elite tennis, while countering the various obstacles they faced as women of color.
She said, “It makes me a little bit emotional playing Hailey because, growing up, there wasn’t really too many black women and juniors playing. And for us to be both here on Tour, playing really means a lot.”
Gauff continued, “It just makes me like a little bit emotional because really it was only like three or four of us out there and we would all be friends with each other and we had to deal with a lot of crap that you guys don’t know about.”
“For us to be here on Tour today, it really means a lot. …It really reminds of those big dreams we had as kids.. I hope Haiely and I play each other many more times, to be that representation,” said Gauff after her match against Baptiste in Washington in 2023.
Gauff isn’t the only star that Baptiste is close to on Tour. The 24-year-old shares a close bond with ATP star Frances Tiafoe. Both Baptiste and Tiafoe are natives of Washington, and that has been the core of an almost 15-year bond that began when they trained together at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in Maryland.
Last year, Baptiste hired Tiafoe’s twin brother, Franklin, to be a part of her coaching entourage. That bore fruit as Baptiste reached the third round of the Major for the first time at the French Open last year. After that accomplishment, she opened up about the deep connection with Tiafoe and his entire family.
“We grew up, both very young, playing at JTCC….Before, we would see each other on the grounds, and we would hang out, but then we started going to class together, me, and Frances. I’d say that’s when we got really close, when I was around like nine, ten.” said Baptiste during the French Open last year.
Hailey Baptiste’s Coach and Family
Currently, Baptiste is in action at the Australian Open, where she is coached by Eric Hechtman, who has a reputable resume, having coached the legendary duo of Serena and Venus Williams back in the day. Reports do suggest that she and Franklin Tiafoe ended their collaboration late last year.
More: Frances Tiafoe Sends a Message to Twin Brother Franklin After He and Hailey Baptiste Split
Baptiste is the only child of Qasim Baptiste and Shari Dishman, both of whom have been active supporters of the American player on Tour. And they are seen supporting their daughter from the stands at various events across the world.
Baptiste’s Australian Open Campaign So Far
Baptiste was scheduled to face 32nd-seeded Markéta Vondroušová in the first round at the Australian Open, but the Czech player withdrew from the event at the last moment. As a result, Baptiste played lucky loser and compatriot, Taylor Townsend, winning 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3 after a hard-fought battle.
In the next round, Baptiste faced local sensation Storm Hunter, where she dashed the home hopes, winning 6-2, 6-1 against the Australian, setting up her third-round clash against Coco Gauff.
