She went on to explain that it’s something that her dad used to say to her from a very young age, and it has a special place in her heart.

Coco Gauff has opened up about her preparation rituals before hitting the tennis court, revealing a superstition involving her father, Corey Gauff. In a recent interview after her victory over Magdalena Frech at the Australian Open, Coco explained her dad’s absence from her celebratory box.

“My dad is here, but I don’t know where,” she said, noting her mother’s calming presence. “My mom is better at keeping her nerves under control, but my dad tends to use some words that I can’t repeat right now. Whenever I hear him say those words, I get mad. So, we agreed that he can go somewhere else around the stadium.”

Coco elaborated that her father prefers to walk around the stadium to watch her play, allowing her to focus without being distracted by his nervous energy.

The young athlete also shared a meaningful message she carries on her sneakers: “You can change the world with your racquet.” This phrase, a reminder from her father since childhood, holds a special significance for her. Additionally, she has the coordinates of the park where she grew up playing tennis in Florida inscribed on her shoes.

“Sometimes when my mom thinks I’m negative when I look down, I’m just looking at my shoe,” Gauff explained. “It’s a reminder that life is much more than tennis; how I perform on the court does not define me as a person.” This perspective highlights her grounded approach to the sport and life beyond it.