Coco Gauff Credits Parents for Her Rise-How They Shaped Her Career

**Coco Gauff** leaned on her parents’ sacrifice when she stunned the world with a 2019 Wimbledon upset, a milestone that traces back to Candi and Corey Gauff quitting their careers and relocating to Florida in 2004 to nurture her game.

When Coco was born on **13 Mar 2004**, her parents were still chasing their own athletic dreams-Corey played basketball at Georgia State, while Candi excelled in the heptathlon at Florida State. By 2007, after Codey’s birth, they recognized that a serious tennis path required full‑time support. They sold their jobs, moved the family to Delray Beach, and turned their home into a training hub.

Both parents left stable employment to become full‑time coaches and logisticians. Corey handled travel bookings, court reservations, and nutrition plans, while Candi oversaw strength work and mental drills. Their decision meant forgoing potential professional contracts, yet it gave Coco the freedom to train six‑days‑a‑week from age eight.

In a post‑match interview after her 2019 Wimbledon run, Coco recalled her dad’s early belief: “My dad told me I could do this when I was 8, and obviously, you never believe it.” Corey later told *Teen Vogue* that her rise isn’t an overnight story; it’s the result of relentless work, a sentiment echoed by Candi in a 2020 Instagram tribute celebrating 19 years of marriage and shared ambition.

Corey’s college basketball experience taught him about schedule management and pressure handling. Candi’s heptathlon record‑setting performance in 1991 still ranks among the best at Florida State, giving her insight into multi‑disciplinary training. Together they navigate tournament logistics without panic, a skill Coco credits for her calm at break points and during five‑set battles.

The trio now watches Coco chase a world No. 1 ranking while Codey (born **21 Sep 2007**) and Cameron (born **5 Jun 2013**) explore their own sports interests. Candi and Corey continue to emphasize balance, reminding their children that “you come from a lineage who has done great things; we won’t force anything that hasn’t been earned.” Their story remains a blueprint for families nurturing elite talent.