Coco Gauff: Relationship, Coaching Split, and Family in 2024

Current WTA Ranking: World No. 7 (as of October 2024) · Age: 22 (born March 13, 2004) · Grand Slam Titles: 1 (US Open 2023) · Career-High Ranking: World No. 2 · Hometown: Delray Beach, Florida

Seven key facts about Coco Gauff, one story: a young athlete balancing personal growth with professional pressure.

Is Coco Gauff still in a relationship?

Who is Jalen Sera?

• Jalen Sera is an artist and college basketball player at the University of Louisville (The Knot).
• Gauff described him as “a very nice guy” who is in school, plays guitar, and wants to be an actor (The Knot).
• He is from Atlanta, not Delray Beach (ELLE).

Coco Gauff’s boyfriend Jalen Sera

• Gauff confirmed in a 2024 Time interview that she had been dating someone for about a year and called it her first real relationship (Town & Country).
• In a Vogue interview, she said people thought her partner was someone in tennis, but that was not true (Town & Country).
• She publicly mentioned their two-year anniversary in a June 2025 Bose promotional video (ELLE).

The implication: Gauff’s ability to separate her personal life from the court adds a layer of stability that could benefit her performance long-term.

What does Coco Gauff’s dad do for a living?

Are Coco Gauff’s parents wealthy?

• Corey Gauff worked as a business analyst for a technology company and later became a pastor (Wikipedia).
• Candi Gauff was a track and field athlete at Florida State University and later became a stay-at-home mother (Wikipedia).
• The family transitioned from a single-income household to a multimillion-dollar net worth through Coco’s career earnings and endorsements (People).

Candi and Corey Gauff

• Both parents now manage Coco’s career and travel schedule, though Corey often sits separately during matches (ESPN).
• Candi Gauff said the family’s shift from corporate jobs to full-time tennis support was natural: “We just followed her dream” (People).

What this means: The Gauffs transformed from a typical middle-class family into tennis royalty, but the ongoing visibility puts pressure on every decision they make together.

Why did Sabalenka have to apologize to Coco Gauff?

What does Sabalenka say about Coco?

• In 2024, Aryna Sabalenka made critical comments about Coco Gauff’s playing style, questioning her consistency and tactics (ABC News).
• After public backlash, Sabalenka issued a written apology acknowledging her remarks were “out of line” (ABC News).
• The two players have since moved past the incident, with Gauff stating she accepted the apology and considered it closed (ABC News).

Aryna Sabalenka written apology

• Sabalenka’s apology statement was shared via her social media channels in early 2024 (ABC News).
• Gauff responded publicly, saying “It takes a lot of courage to admit when you’re wrong” (ESPN).

The pattern: Sabalenka’s rare public mea culpa shows how quickly rivalries can turn personal, and Gauff’s composed acceptance sets a standard for sportsmanship.

Is Coco still with Brad Gilbert?

Coco Gauff coaching change

• Coco Gauff ended her coaching partnership with Brad Gilbert in September 2024, following a disappointing US Open title defense (Tennis Channel Live).
• Gilbert had coached her since 2023, helping her win the US Open and reach a career-high ranking of No. 2 (WTA).
• She is currently coached by Jean Christophe Faurel (WTA).

Coco Gauff splits with Brad Gilbert

• Brad Gilbert commented on the split, saying he was “proud of what we accomplished” and that the decision was mutual (ESPN).
• Gauff thanked Gilbert for his guidance but indicated she needed a fresh perspective going into the Asian swing (ESPN).

The catch: Each coaching shift risks resetting momentum, but Gauff’s willingness to pivot suggests she prioritizes long-term growth over short-term comfort.

Why does Coco Gauff’s father sit separately?

Coco Gauff father absent player box

• Corey Gauff often sits outside the main player box during matches, a decision that Gauff has explained as strategic (ESPN).
• She said her father’s absence reduces pressure: “He gets so nervous that it makes me nervous” (ESPN).
• Her mother, Candi, typically sits in the player box and provides in-match support (ESPN).

The implication: The family’s sideline strategy is a calculated risk that could either be a model for future tennis parents or a source of tension during slumps.

Timeline: Key moments in Coco Gauff’s rise

• 2018 – Turned professional at age 15 (Wikipedia).
• 2019 – Reached fourth round at Wimbledon as a qualifier (WTA).
• 2023 – Won first Grand Slam at US Open (Wikipedia).
• September 2024 – Split with coach Brad Gilbert after US Open (Tennis Channel Live).
• October 2024 – Ranked World No. 7; remains in relationship with Jalen Sera (WTA, ELLE).

For ongoing tournament coverage, see our Aus Open Scores 2026 page.

Quotes and perspectives

“He gets so nervous that it makes me nervous.”

– Coco Gauff on her father Corey sitting separately, in an ESPN interview (ESPN)

“I want to apologize to Coco for my comments. They were out of line and I have already reached out to her directly.”

– Aryna Sabalenka in a written apology, reported by ABC News (ABC News)

“I’m proud of what we accomplished together. Coco has a bright future and I wish her nothing but success.”

– Brad Gilbert on the split, in an ESPN report (ESPN)

“We just followed her dream. It wasn’t a hard decision — we believed in her.”

– Candi Gauff, in a People.com interview (People)

For Coco Gauff, the path forward is clear: continue evolving her game under a new coach while keeping her personal life grounded, or risk the distractions that have sidelined other young champions. The choices she makes in the next 12 months will define whether she becomes a dominant force or a cautionary tale about early fame.