Why Coco Gauff made her father move out of player box: All about the French Open champ's surprise decision

Coco Gauff's father, Corey, was not in her player's box during her maiden French Open title triumph. The American has previously spoken about why she avoids having her father in the box during her matches.

On Saturday, June 7, Gauff took on Aryna Sabalenka in the 2025 French Open final. The Belarusian started the game strong with a double break in the first set, but the World No. 2 showed impressive mental fortitude to earn the double break back. After continuous back and forth, however, Sabalenka bagged the first set.

Gauff was much more convincing in the second set and forced a decider. The American continued her momentum and had a strong hold on the match, leading 3-1 before Sabalenka mounted a comeback again. Eventually, the 21-year-old defeated Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and 38 minutes.

Throughout the match, Gauff's mother Candi's reactions to multiple points were being spotted by the cameras. However, Gauff's father, Corey, was nowhere to be found in her box.

Gauff has previously opened up about why her father doesn't sit in her player box during matches, citing his overwhelming nervous energy and intense reactions. Speaking to Sky Sports during the 2023 US Open, she explained:

"Yeah, because his nervous energy, because naturally he has been with me my whole life, so I would look at him at the points. Sometimes, I miss a shot, and he would just do like this, and like, something crazy. So, we decided this tournament that we are going to put you somewhere else where we can’t see you, so that way you will still be here."

According to Serena Williams' former coach, Rennae Stubbs, Coco Gauff's father was present at the venue but chose not to sit inside the stadium. Stubbs echoed Gauff’s earlier comments, noting that his absence from the player box was due to the same nervous energy Gauff had described.

"Cocos mum is awesome and Dad is seriously losing his mind somewhere in the players area, I heard he was in the transportation area watching on tv and was NOT relaxed...lol," Stubbs wrote on X.

Coco Gauff captured the second Grand Slam title of her career at Roland Garros, having previously claimed her maiden major at the 2023 US Open with a win over Aryna Sabalenka.

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Coco Gauff thanks her parents in emotional speech after French Open win

Coco Gauff pictured with her parents at the 2025 French Open | Image Source: Getty

After clinching her second Grand Slam title and becoming the first American woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win Roland Garros, Coco Gauff delivered an emotional speech, thanking her father, Corey, and mother, Candi.

"I’d like to thank my parents. You guys have done a lot for me, from washing my clothes to keeping me grounded and giving me the belief that I can do it. You guys probably believe in me more than I do myself. I really appreciate and love you guys," Coco Gauff said in her victory speech.

Gauff also expressed deep gratitude for her brothers and her team, acknowledging the journey they’ve shared. She reflected on having reached three finals (Madrid Open, Italian Open, and French Open) and finally winning the one that mattered most.

At just 21, Gauff has become the youngest American champion at Roland Garros since Williams in 2002.