Tennis legend, Patrick McEnroe, has recently emphasized the significant yet often overlooked role played by Corey Gauff, Coco Gauff’s father, in her tennis journey. McEnroe commended Corey’s distinctive approach, highlighting the need for increased recognition in a sport where fathers have, at times, faced criticism for their involvement.
In a recent statement, McEnroe stated, “It’s been spoken about a little bit but it needs to be spoken about more. Especially in our sport where there has been a negative history of fathers of women tennis players being psychopaths and being irresponsible to the total human, not just in tennis but the total human.”
Corey Gauff’s ability to refrain from seeking the spotlight is particularly commendable. McEnroe noted, “Corey Gauff was here also, and his ability to not be the center of attention, doesn’t need the information to come from him, that is rare and it sounds like something that should be very obvious and it’s not. In the history of our sport, it is not. There are a lot of cautionary tales.”
McEnroe refrained from naming specific instances out of respect but stressed that such situations have been rampant in tennis. He highlighted Corey Gauff’s dedication to studying the game and being actively involved in his daughter’s tennis development.
“The guy has studied and he is dialed in, and for him to kind of take a back seat and let Brad be Brad, which is a weird orbit in itself, and let me, who he doesn’t know, have a say in her serve for a couple of days, like Bravo. It needs to be said over and over again. I hope this creates precedent for other tennis parents, especially of young females,” McEnroe continued.
The acknowledgment of Corey Gauff’s supportive yet unassuming role shines a light on a positive example within the tennis world. As Coco Gauff continues to make her mark on the court, her father’s influence stands out as a reminder of the importance of a healthy and collaborative parent-child relationship in the demanding realm of professional tennis.
Coco Gauff in 2024
Ranked no.3 (career-high), Gauff played her last match on the 25th of January when she capitulated to world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(2) 6-4 in the semifinal of the Australian Open (draw).
Currently, during this year Gauff has achieved an overall 10-1 record. The American has won 1 title in Auckland.
Gauff is scheduled to play next in Doha (Qatar TotalEnergies Open). She will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 12th of February.
Coco Gauff |
| Embed from Getty Images |
