Tennis is a game of anticipation. However, even Coco Gauff couldn’t foresee the surprise that awaited her in the autograph session! The American player’s uphill battle in tennis this season is a secret to no one. Since her run to the last four at Roland Garros, the 20-year-old player’s stuttering form and early exits from various tournaments and the Olympics have concerned us all. But it seems her ardent followers are ready to stand by her through thick and thin!

When Gauff stepped into her favorite ground, the US Open, for her practice session ahead of the championships, her focus might have been straight. To prepare herself in order to replicate last year’s victory. But who doesn’t like a delightful detour from the aim when it takes the form of unconditional ‘love from fans’? Yes, that’s what happened during a lighthearted moment when Gauff was taken aback by an unusual request from a fan during an autograph session. After her practice, as Gauff kept signing for fans who gathered there to watch her play, one enthusiastic supporter approached her with a phone in hand, asking the American star to deliver a personalized greeting. But not for him!

The fan, holding his phone up to Gauff’s face, requested that she say “Hi David, hi Jack” to the people on his FaceTime call. Gauff, seemingly surprised by the unconventional ask, paused for a moment before obliging with a smile and doing what the fan asked. While the fan’s wish was fulfilled, he hung up, saying “Bye guys,” but the impromptu FaceTime cameo left Gauff momentarily stunned, who took it in stride and laughed it off. 

Gauff’s colorful moments with fans sometimes also take the form of an emotional encounter that leaves Gauff tearing up a bit. This happened a few months ago in Berlin. A dedicated fan, who introduced himself as Maurice (an admin of her fan page on Instagram), asked her to follow his page on Instagram while shedding tears on meeting Gauff face-to-face for the first time after her match. This adorable fan moment made Gauff emotional as she softly said, “Oh, don’t start crying, okay… Oh, you are so sweet.“

Besides, earlier this season, when Gauff crashed out of Indian Wells in the semifinals, her spirits were low for a while. However, a fan paid for her food when she went to an In-N-Out and gave her a special note that cheered her up. Gauff posted a picture of that note, which read, “Coco, thanks for being an amazing role model! You were one heck of a fighter tonight. We sure love you! Love the Rowley family from Utah,” and showed her gratitude for the fan. Moreover, her fan moments extend not only to FaceTime sessions and special notes, but some permanent ink too!

Coco Gauff shares about her “craziest” fan moment!

It’s been six years since Coco Gauff turned pro in tennis, but even in this short period of time, the seven-time singles title winner has succeeded in winning over her fans worldwide. So much so that they are ready to etch her autograph permanently in the form of a tattoo on their arms! During her Madrid Open tournament, Gauff signed a fan’s arm, posted an Instagram story, and wrote, “Post-match she had me sign her arm and said she was gonna tattoo that and this outline of me on her. I normally don’t record videos like this, but I had the craziest fan. She is the sweetest soul…”

However, what happened next blew her mind! Sharing an update on how the fan tattooed her autograph, she posted a picture of the fan’s arms with the tattoo! “And she actually got it tatted. MADRID ENERGY IS DIFFERENT! SOB fr. oh my god,” she wrote in the post.

Gauff’s good-natured response has endeared her to fans even more, highlighting her ability to connect with spectators beyond the tennis court. With the US Open knocking at the door, more such fan encounters are sure to happen!