Miami Open: Coco Gauff Gets Real About Building Friendships With Ben Shelton and Chris Eubanks Over WTA Peers

Who are Coco Gauff‘s friends on the Tour? Well, there are plenty of them on her list but among the closest ones are Ben Shelton and Chris Eubanks, who Gauff would interestingly pick over WTA names. But why does the 20YO American tennis sensation choose to be friends with guys over the girls on the tour?

Gauff feels that it’s really difficult to build a close friendship with girls on the tour because they may play against each other at some point in their careers. Recently she gave an interview to the Tennis Channel after her third-round victory at the 2024 Miami Open. And here’s what she had to say about her friendship with Shelton and Eubanks.

“We all have Atlanta roots” – Coco Gauff on Chris Eubanks and Ben Shelton

During the interview, Coco Gauff said that it’s really great to have two guys she knows on the tour. She added, “You know on tour that I kind of just you know get to step away from this world a little bit, you know. With women, we’re always good friends. But you know, we’re going to have to play each other in a tournament.” Coco Gauff says this is perhaps one of the main reasons she doesn’t always hang out with girls like before.

Reflecting more on her friendships with Chris Eubanks and Ben Shelton she said, “And then, Chris, I’ve known since I was a little kid. Then I kind of got closer to Ben through Chris and I think we just have a good, we all root for each other, a good friendship. We all have Atlanta roots.” Gauff feels it’s nice to have Americans doing well on tour and she hopes that they can keep further together.

Ben Shelton once revealed that Coco Gauff is like a “little sister” to her. Both of them are often seen making fun of each other on social media. And, talking about Eubanks, well, Gauff has always been one of the biggest supporters of the 27-year-old. She was there beside him when no one knew him and Coco Gauff is often seen attending his matches cheering for Eubanks from the stands.

Gauff is having a wonderful time with her friends in Miami

Recently Ben Shelton posted a photo on his Instagram with Chris Eubanks and Coco Gauff. In the photo, the three tennis stars were spotted together in an escape room. Shelton posted that photo along with a few other pictures and wrote, “Coast to coast with the gang,” in the caption. From Indian Wells to Miami, you’ll find this trio together everywhere.

Coco Gauff shared that post on her Instagram stories and called her team the “Escape room goats.” Share your thoughts on this trio and tell us your picks of the favorite friendships in tennis!

READ MORE: Who Are Coco Gauff’s Best Friends on the Tour? Does Ben Shelton Make the Cut?