Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton have been lighting up the tennis world, both on and off the court. Their camaraderie and playful exchanges have become something fans eagerly look forward to. So, when the two teamed up for a doubles exhibition match at the US Open, everyone knew something special—and likely hilarious—was about to go down. True to form, the match wasn’t just about great tennis but also filled with those charming, light-hearted moments that have become their signature.

Gauff and Shelton played the doubles exhibition match against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa on Tuesday. With the American players were trailing 2-1 in the first set, all they needed was some skill. Gauff’s serve forced Badosa to hit a shot in Shelton’s direction. The ATP star, who was standing near the net, was quick to play a volley and left Tsitsipas struggling as the American partners won a point. But what followed after this was rather surprising.  

As Gauff came to celebrate the point with Shelton, she was left hanging completely. In a video posted by the US Open on their official X page, the WTA star can be seen approaching Shelton for a high-five. But Shelton was deeply engrossed in celebrating his quirky skills and failed to notice his compatriot. While Gauff waited for a few seconds, she eventually gave a high-five to herself as Shelton turned back and headed towards the sidelines. But this is not the first time when Shelton and Gauff have engaged in such humorous scenarios.

Back in September 2023, Gauff shared a post on X about the University of Florida, where Shelton used to play college tennis. The University of Florida was ranked the top university in the U.S. for athletics by niche.com. Gauff saw the ranking and couldn’t resist teasing Shelton a bit. She posted, “Did you write this? 😂 @BenShelton,” teasing him over his strong connection with the University. As the US Open finally enters the picture, it would be interesting to see if the compatriots can soar high yet again like the last year, and win big. Gauff, meanwhile, has her priorities set for the tournament. 

Coco Gauff desires an awaited comeback at the US Open

Coco Gauff has failed to keep momentum on the hard courts this year. The reigning US Open winner had a struggling season with surprising defeats coming in the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters. But with the US Open around the corner, the star player is prepared to play her best tennis. After suffering a massive blow against Kazakh star Yulia Putinsteva, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 at Cincinnati, Gauff revealed her plans for the US Open.

“I feel like I have to work on consistency, overall,” said Gauff. Remember, the star player dropped one spot to world number three after her defeat against Putintseva. She further said, “I’ll probably go home and try to reset.” But despite the recent failures, Gauff looks quite motivated for the Grand Slam. “Obviously, I have a lot coming up soon with the US Open, so I think just trying to reset and be ready for that.”

With the interesting match unfolding at the US Open, it would be fascinating to see if Gauff can defend her title at the tournament. But will she be able to do that as sensationally as last year? Only time will tell.