Supportive parents can do wonders for their kids. Don’t believe it? Look at Coco Gauff, whose incredible athletic genes brought her a Grand Slam before she could end her teenage. While the majority believes Coco is a prodigy, Corey Gauff would deny that with a suitable answer that screams about Gauff’s hunger to make a statement. But the World No. 2, and USA’s star in the Paris Olympics, delves into how she couldn’t have done it without her father.

Gauff recently embarked as a leading American Tax and Assistance firm Baker Tilly’s brand ambassador. She and the company’s official Instagram handle posted a video in collaboration, where Gauff spoke about many things, from winning the US Open to her favorite childhood tennis memory. Surprisingly, her dad played an important part there, leaving fans surprised with his dedication to his daughter.

“My favorite was like when it rained, my dad was like set the couches up in a row as like a net and we were just like hit back and forth and play in the base pit,” Gauff said. The smile on her face could tell that she has a very supportive family.

Gauff’s father Corey has been a college basketball player at Georgia State University. Needless to say, his and Candi Gauff’s athletic backgrounds have given their kids with the best sports genes. After winning the 2023 US Open, Gauff mentioned she saw her father cry. “Thank you, first, to my parents. Today was the first time I’ve ever seen my dad cry, Thank you guys, you believed in me from the beginning. My dad took me to this tournament. [I watched] Venus and Serena compete, so it’s really incredible to be on this stage,” Gauff said.

On the other side, Corey Gauff is also a proud father. While he never backs out on showing his emotions on his daughter’s victory, he also reveals that his daughter is not a prodigy, but a result of sheer hard work.

Corey Gauff said his daughter is not an “overnight success”

Gauff might not be doing great since the Paris Olympics but she is the world’s number 2 currently. Her performance has made her parents proud incredibly but they know their daughter’s skills cannot be simply reduced to something natural. It’s a product of talent + shedding blood, sweat and tears. “When it comes to something like tennis, [Coco] works hard. This is not an accident. She might be overnight popular, but she’s not an overnight success,” Gauff’s father said.

Corey Gauff has been truthful about his daughter’s talent. He once said, “Coco chose what she wanted to do very early on, Codey played football for a little bit and some basketball, kind of arriving at baseball a little bit later in life than Coco did with tennis, but they both worked really hard growing up.”

Coco Gauff’s childhood memory of his father shows the blessing of having a father like Corey Gauff. Not only did he make Gauff passionate about the sport but he also infused the love for tennis, which is pushing Coco this far in her career.