Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis sensation, continues to captivate the world with her prodigious talent and refreshing authenticity. Fresh off a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory over Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko in the first round of the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open on April 23, 2025, Gauff opened up about the weight of her responsibilities and the youthful spirit that keeps her grounded. In a candid post-match press conference, she revealed, “Sometimes I can feel a lot older than I am,” reflecting on the pressures of her meteoric rise while showcasing a softer side that endears her to fans globally. As she prepares for a second-round clash with Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic, Gauff’s introspection offers a glimpse into the mind of a champion navigating fame, duty, and the joys of being young.
Gauff’s journey from a 15-year-old Wimbledon phenom to a Grand Slam champion has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her 2023 US Open triumph and 2024 WTA Finals crown have solidified her as a cornerstone of the WTA Tour, with a career-high ranking of No. 2 in singles and No. 1 in doubles. Yet, the demands of professional tennis—endless travel, intense scrutiny, and the expectation to perform—have occasionally made her feel older than her years. “I feel sometimes I can feel a lot older than I am, just probably because of all the experiences I’ve gone through,” she confessed, acknowledging the whirlwind of her career. From defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019 to clinching nine WTA singles titles, Gauff’s experiences belie her age, thrusting her into a world of adult responsibilities while she’s still in her early 20s.
Despite the pressures, Gauff’s playful side shone through as she shared a lighthearted moment from her Madrid preparations. “I was actually really excited to come to Madrid because I wanted to go to the amusement park,” she admitted with a smile, revealing her love for rollercoasters and her plan to visit the Parque de Atracciones. This glimpse into her off-court life underscores her ability to find joy amidst the grind, a trait that sets her apart in a sport often defined by intensity. Her youthful enthusiasm, from watching SpongeBob SquarePants to dressing as a character from Winx Club for Halloween, keeps her connected to her roots as a young woman from Delray Beach, Florida, where she grew up training on the public courts of Pompey Park.
Gauff’s Madrid performance was a masterclass in controlled aggression, as she dispatched Tsurenko in just over an hour. Her serve, a point of criticism in her inconsistent 2025 season, was firing on all cylinders, with 70% first-serve points won and three aces. The win marked a strong start on clay, a surface that has historically challenged her but where she’s shown growth, evidenced by her 2024 French Open doubles title. “I’m just trying to lock in and trust my game,” she said, a nod to the mental clarity she’s cultivated under the guidance of coaches like Brad Gilbert. Her 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster, with early exits in Dubai and Indian Wells, but recent successes, including a Stuttgart Open semifinal, signal a resurgence as she eyes a deep run in Madrid and a strong showing at the upcoming French Open.
The weight of expectations hasn’t dulled Gauff’s commitment to using her platform for good. Inspired by her grandmother Yvonne Odom, a civil rights trailblazer, and her idols Serena and Venus Williams, Gauff remains vocal on social issues, from climate change to racial equality. At 16, she spoke at a Black Lives Matter rally in Delray Beach, and her shoes, etched with Pompey Park’s coordinates, carry a message from her father: “You can change the world with your racket.” “I just want to know that I left my print on this world in some way, shape or form, outside of just the things that I do on the tennis court,” she has said, a sentiment that resonates as she inspires a new generation of players, particularly young Black girls.
As Gauff faces Golubic, a tricky counterpuncher, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation. Social media reflects the excitement, with fans on X praising her maturity and relatability, one noting, “Coco’s ability to balance being a superstar and a kid at heart is why she’s so special.” A victory could set up a third-round clash with a top seed, offering a chance to reclaim her spot among the WTA’s elite. Gauff’s Madrid journey is more than a quest for titles; it’s a testament to her ability to navigate the complexities of stardom while holding onto the joy that first drew her to tennis. With her family—parents Corey and Candi, and brothers Codey and Cameron—cheering her on, Gauff’s story continues to inspire, proving that even under pressure, a champion can still chase rollercoasters and dreams with equal fervor.