Andy Roddick recently shared a heartfelt reaction after learning why Coco Gauff’s father, Corey Gauff, is absent from Wimbledon. Meanwhile, the American has secured her spot in the semifinals, where she will face Karolina Muchova on Thursday.
Gauff booked her place in her semifinal at the All England Club with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Jessica Pegula on Tuesday. While her mother, Candi Gauff, has been cheering from the stands, her father has not been at the tournament.
In the latest episode of his podcast, Roddick discussed Corey Gauff’s absence with journalist Jon Wertheim. The latter revealed that the player’s father was helping with her younger brother, Codey Gauff, move into his college dorm. Recalling his conversation with Coco Gauff, Wertheim said:
“We always get a kick at your dad often gets nervous. He can’t watch as your match. Sometimes he’s pacing around the arena and you know, sometimes he’s walking in the middle of Paris when you’re playing at the French. Where’s dad? Moving in. So I was like, “Let me get this straight. Dad’s got to lug like your brother’s crates upstairs and find his mini fridge and buy his trapper keeper, whatever the kids are doing, and your mom gets to sit in your box as you play into the second week of Wimbledon,” said Wertheim.
Reacting to the story, Roddick praised the Gauff family for giving equal attention to all their children, even as the 22-year-old competed on one of tennis’ biggest stages. He said:
“I’m glad you told that story of Coco’s dad, Corey, moving her little brother into college. It makes me happy because it’s the way it should be, right? Because one sibling is like a global superstar playing an important event doesn’t mean that we can’t, you know, pay attention to another sibling and celebrate a first for them. Like this is I just feel like they get it right a lot of the time. That’s like I don’t know what it says about us that we’re like weirdly happy and surprised that this is normal,” said Roddick.
Coco Gauff opened up about advancing to her first-ever Wimbledon semifinal
After defeating Jessica Pegula in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, Coco Gauff reflected on reaching her first semifinal at the tournament during her on-court interview. Calling it an ‘insane’ feeling, she also praised her opponent, saying:
“Pretty insane, honestly. Considering how I hadn’t won a match on grass in two years before this tournament. So, I’m definitely just really happy with how I played today. Jess is an incredible opponent and person and playing against her is never easy, but I’m just happy to get through this one today,” said Coco Gauff.
The American began her Wimbledon campaign on June 29 by defeating Tamara Korpatsch 6-2, 6-1. She further prevailed over Solana Sierra, Claire Liu, and Belinda Bencic to seal a spot in the semifinal round.
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