Most tennis stars blast pump-up music before big matches. Coco Gauff? She’s getting hyped at 7 a.m. on the way to practice, dancing to Tyler, The Creator’s surprise new album in her car. The world No. 2 gave fans a peek into her morning routine after Tyler dropped his ninth studio album, “Don’t Tap the Glass,” showing just how deep their musical connection runs.
How Did Coco Gauff and Tyler, The Creator Build Their Bond?
The relationship between Gauff and Tyler goes way beyond casual fandom. Gauff has credited Tyler’s music as a key part of her pre-match ritual for years, using his tracks to get locked in before stepping on court. She’s been spotted wearing pieces from his Golf Le Fleur fashion line and made appearances at his Camp Flog Gnaw music festival.
View this post on Instagram
Their mutual respect hit mainstream when Tyler name-dropped Gauff in his 2024 album Chromakopia. On the track “Thought I Was Dead,” he rapped: “B***h, you ain’t Coco Gauff, you can’t serve me.”
Gauff was floored by the shoutout, calling the experience “absolutely insane.”
Meanwhile, Tyler’s latest project showcases a complete sound evolution. “Don’t Tap the Glass” dropped on July 21, 2025, as a total surprise. The 10-track, 28-minute album ditched the usual pre-release singles and heavy promotion for an unannounced release packed with energetic, dance-heavy vibes. Fans and celebrities across the entertainment world took notice immediately, with stars like NBA legend LeBron James jumping in with praise.
Gauff couldn’t contain her excitement either. She shared her reaction through Instagram stories right after the album dropped, posting a photo from inside her car with Tyler’s music playing. Her caption captured the moment perfectly: “lmfao this album got me all excited shaking my hips at 7am otw practice lolll.”
How Did Tyler’s Music Inspire Gauff’s French Open Victory Speech?
The connection between Gauff and Tyler became even more meaningful during her recent Grand Slam triumph. Gauff captured her second Grand Slam singles title at the 2025 French Open, defeating top seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 in the final. But it was her victory speech that showed just how much Tyler’s words had impacted her mindset.
Speaking about self-belief after her championship win, Gauff directly quoted Tyler in front of the crowd and her parents. She turned to his lyrics to explain her mental breakthrough.
MORE: Coco Gauff Celebrates Back-to-Back ESPY Wins, Proud Mom Candi Joins In
“I didn’t think honestly that I could do it,” Gauff said. “But I’m gonna quote Tyler the Creator right here. He said, ‘If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying’. I’d like to leave that with you guys. I think I was lying to myself and I definitely could do it. Shout out to Tyler.”
After her French Open victory, Gauff faced a setback at Wimbledon with a first-round exit to Dayana Yastremska. Now she’s focused on the North American hard-court swing, with upcoming tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati on her schedule.
