Serena Williams’ Unexpected Groovy Trial Echoes in Coco Gauff’s Nostalgic Journey: “Can’t Believe I Did That”

Coco Gauff knows that in tennis, you have to expect the unexpected. After seven years on the professional circuit, she’s learned this lesson well. Following her quarterfinal exit at the 2025 Australian Open against Paula Badosa—where she faced a tough defeat of 7-5, 6-4—Gauff is already looking ahead to her next event. But first, she’s reflecting on some memorable moments from her career.

On January 24, Gauff participated in the Australian Open’s ‘Cinema Session,’ where players watch highlights from their careers. During Gauff’s interview, they revisited her debut at the 2020 Australian Open against Venus Williams. Gauff won that match 7-6(5), 6-3. Although she had previously defeated Venus at Wimbledon in 2019, the Australian Open victory felt different.

The nostalgia didn’t stop there; the interview also featured a clip where Gauff was dancing with the other players. The 20-year-old exclaimed, “Oh my, God. Serena made all of us learn this dance.” In the clip, she was seen awkwardly twerking, clearly out of her comfort zone. She admitted, “Yes, I thought she was joking when she said we all had to do it, yeah. I still can’t believe I did that.” However, being the good sport she is, she participated in the dance.

Gauff’s journey in 2020 ended in the fourth round against Sofia Kenin. Fast forward to this year; she reached the quarterfinals after an impressive 13-match winning streak and a perfect 9-0 record in 2025. Despite facing criticism after a winless streak last year following her Auckland title, Gauff is determined to push through.

Talking about Gauff’s dancing skills, while she may have been surprised by Williams’ choreography, but she is no stranger to dancing herself! She frequently participates in TikTok dance challenges, showcasing her fun side. Remember her iconic moment at just eight years old? Gauff danced to ‘Call Me Maybe’ during the 2012 US Open. That performance was unforgettable! Whether she’s busting a move with friends or celebrating a victory, Gauff knows how to keep the energy high.

Danielle Collins inspires Gauff to show off moves at the United Cup

Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins brought their fun-loving energy to the 2025 United Cup, showcasing their vibrant personalities as Team USA aimed to reclaim their title. On January 4, the WTA’s official Instagram account shared a hilarious video featuring Collins busting out her infamous twerking. “Ok, Danielle we all know what you want,” Gauff teased her, highlighting Collins’ eccentric energy that kept Team USA fired up. Later, Gauff showcased her tennis skills by overpowering Karolina Muchova in straight sets to secure USA’s spot in the finals.

After the victory, Gauff danced over to celebrate with her teammates. When Collins asked her to show off her twerking skills, she humorously replied, “You wanna get me twerking?” She attempted to imitate Collins but only managed a shaky waist move. Despite the laughter, it was a joyful moment as Team USA marched toward the finals with Gauff leading the charge.

Although Gauff is out of the Australian Open, she’s keeping her spirits high and knows how to enjoy herself. This is just the start of the 2025 season! Fans will hope to see more fun dance moves from Gauff moving ahead in the season.