Coco Gauff isn’t just making waves on the tennis court; she’s winning hearts with her deep love for family. Despite her hectic professional career and rigorous tennis schedule, the young American star always makes it a point to devote time to those who hold a special place in her heart. Whether it’s sharing laughs with her parents or celebrating wins with her siblings, Gauff’s family-first approach is something her fans adore. This time, it’s her beloved Granddad, Eddie Odom, who’s feeling the warmth of her affection.

The American sensation is fresh off her victory at the China Open and is on a remarkable run at the Wuhan Open where she will be playing against Magda Linette in the quarterfinals. But despite this intense schedule, she does not fail to take time for her grandfather and post an adorable story on his birthday. 

Taking to her Instagram story on Friday, Gauff posted a picture of herself with her grandad. Captioning the post, she wrote, “Happy birthday grandad lol he doesn’t have instagram but any reason to share this picture imma do it.” A similar tribute came from Gauff’s mother Candi Gauff as well, who shared a picture of Odom and wrote, “Happy birthday dad!! I love you!” For the unversed, Gauff’s grandfather is equally connected to the world of sports as his granddaughter and has taken some legendary initiatives over the years. 

Eddie Odom has been associated with baseball for several years now and made a name for himself and the Delray Beach American Little League. His passion has remained intact, which resonates in his efforts to make the sport accessible for everyone. Odom started a Little League for black kids in 1970 to help them play organized baseball, an opportunity that was not so widely available for them. 

Taking about his efforts, Odom said, “Everyone who knew me on both sides of the track, they understand I love baseball,” per WPTV. “In a way, it’s given me happiness. You can be broke, you can be mad, you can be all the worst things in the world. But when you go to that ballpark, you don’t think about any of that,” he added while explaining his love for the sport. But it is not just Coco Gauff who highlights her love for her grandfather. She has often witnessed it being reciprocated equally.

When Coco Gauff’s grandfather proudly showcased her achievement

Coco Gauff’s family has never failed to take pride in her achievements. Be it from her mother or brothers, Gauff has witnessed immense love throughout her career. One such moment was witnessed in August this year, when her grandfather boasted a significant achievement of Gauff’s career on his social media. 

Taking to Instagram, Odom shared a picture that delighted fans. In the photo, he proudly wore the $5.3 billion sponsor, New Balance’s T-shirt featuring a playful image of Gauff enjoying a slice of pizza. Along with that, he wrote, “Look at the new COCO SHIRT… PIZZA in New York..” Remember, Gauff secured a deal with New Balance when she was as young as 14 in 2018. 

She has not only had her contract renewed over time, but has also established a reputation for being “very involved” in the lifestyle offerings of the company. For now, it would be interesting to see if the star player shares more stories and updates on her grandfather’s birthday, showcasing yet more affection for him.