By the time she was a year old, Coco’s parents saw that, like a fledgling business, she was babbling with purpose. Corey and Candi were persuaded by that early spark that their daughter wasn’t just active but was meant for something greater.
Candi, a Florida State track star, and Corey, a former Georgia State Gabasketball star, were aware of the discipline required by elite sports. After competing at a high level, Corey once told The New York Times that they were able to maintain their composure while their daughter’s talent blossomed. They were aware that it was important to pace the journey rather than push it and to avoid overreacting.
Coco Gauff’s Parents & Family
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Corey Gauff – Former Georgia State basketball player and healthcare executive |
| Mother | Candi Gauff – Former Florida State track standout, ex-teacher, current homeschooling guide |
| Marriage | Married Jan 13, 2001 – over 23 years of partnership and deep support |
| Strategic Relocation | Moved from Atlanta to Delray Beach so Coco could access better training |
| Role Shifts | Corey coached until 2023; Candi managed schooling and emotional balance |
| Siblings | Sons Codey (2007) and Cameron (2013), both active in sports |
| Parents’ Strategy | Emotional scaffolding, calm mentoring, family unity prioritized |
| Milestone Support | Present courtside at major wins including US Open and French Open |
| Parenting Insight | Called “center-court Switzerland” to diffuse tensions with guidance |
The couple made the audacious decision to quit their jobs in Atlanta and send her mother homeschooling when Coco was in the second grade. To improve her training network, they relocated to Delray Beach. In order to establish a well-rounded foundation around her talent, Candi served as both her academic and emotional anchor while Corey took over as her primary coach.
They were supportive of both successes and failures. Coco emphasized that her family’s ambition was shared and based on love when she told Good Morning America that her brothers Codey and Cameron supported her through victories and setbacks. Together, they forged a strong, shared dream.
By 2023, Corey’s coaching style had become more nuanced. He decided to handle tension from the sidelines after seeing how stress impacted Coco’s ability to concentrate, walking while listening to gospel music or AirPods. Titles in Washington, Cincinnati, the 2023 US Open, and the 2025 French Open followed, demonstrating how successful that tactical change was.
Candi embodied maternal pride during the French Open victory, saying, “She never gave up, she fought to the end.” Her remarks were more than just a celebration; they reflected the perseverance they had fostered via constant care.
Coco emphasized in interviews with Business Insider how her parents pay attention to her concerns, hopes, and questions. Seeing in Candi a viewpoint that learned to notice the unspoken, the emotional nuance parents sometimes overlook, she asked her to bring nurturing energy on tour.
Through respect for one another, growing pains, and common goals, Corey and Candi demonstrated partnership over time. Their sincere gratitude for one another’s contributions to family unity and Coco’s quest was evident in their 19th anniversary Instagram post.
Tensions between Coco and her father threatened momentum in one particularly memorable moment on the court. To restart communication, Candi called a “center-court Switzerland” pause. The straightforward yet timeless moment reaffirmed how their family ethic combined tact and compassion.
Corey was able to provide intense support without taking center stage thanks to that emotional scaffolding. He became a highly adaptable coach-mentor hybrid by putting mental equilibrium ahead of strategy and adjusting his role to fit Coco’s changing needs.
Their dedication went beyond the results of games. Candi cheered from the stands, Corey paced the hallways during tense moments, and they all displayed emotion—tears, fist pumps, and composed words—that grounded their daughter in ways that went far beyond tennis outcomes.
Their purposeful architecture is reflected in Coco’s trajectory, which currently places her at WTA world No. 2. They created emotional infrastructure in addition to developing talent. At a time when young athletes are frequently used as brand ambassadors, the Gauffs exhibit emotional stability and measured leadership.
Their tale has cultural significance. It demonstrates how families can strike a balance between ambition and emotional depth, authority and flexibility, and visibility and humility. The Gauffs provide a model for parents everywhere who are watching their kids strive for greatness: enter cautiously, take a step back thoughtfully, but never give up.
More than a tennis champion, Corey and Candi shaped a character by encouraging independence while remaining together. They have left behind more than just awards. Uniquely situated at the nexus of family and the intensely competitive world of professional sports, it is a living example of love, strategy, and emotional intelligence in action.