Coco Gauff gears up for the game

Coco Gauff has been a household name in the world of professional tennis since the age of 15. Four years, four WTA Tour singles titles and eight doubles titles later, Coco sat down with Bose to speak on the sport, family, and how sound impacts her headspace — and ultimately, her game.

Earbuds

Headphones

Inspired by idols of her own, Coco is part of a movement of contemporaries redefining what a traditional tennis athlete looks like.

“There is definitely a box tradition for a tennis player. But I feel like now and really because of the Williams sisters, that’s really broken a lot… And I’m just glad that maybe I can help continue to push those boundaries.”

“I always try to be authentically myself and don’t try to fit in any mold.”

Music is a big part of Coco’s pregame ritual, and what gets her ready to take on the court. And she needs just the right playlist to get there.

What’s on Coco Gauff’s playlist to get hype?

“I would say the main song is Icon by Jaden Smith. And then... lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Childish Gambino. And who else? Dre, J. Cole... J. Cole’s my favorite artist. So, yeah, usually a mix of those.”

“It’s definitely a different mindset I feel like I have to enter into. And I definitely enter it because of music.”

Coco opens up on what it’s like to become an icon of the sport so young.

“Sometimes I wake up, and I forget it a little bit. And then a little kid will come up to me like, ‘I love watching you play.’ And I’m like... it’s crazy, because I just remember being that little kid. Just trying to get in, grab whatever I could.”

Has there ever been a fan interaction or a moment that stopped you in your tracks and made you realize, “Oh my goodness. Like, I’m someone’s hero”?

"I was playing a tournament in Miami, and I signed an autograph for these group of girls."

Coco Gauff wearing Bose QuietComfort 45 Headphones on a tennis court

“They screamed so loud. I swear they broke the sound barrier…”

That small act I did to bring them so much joy just makes me really fulfilled… I just feel like I’m glad to be here and just be able to have the role that I have in some people’s lives.”

Coco’s family is a big part of her support system, in life and in her career. With her little brother starting to play tennis, she does her best to be a role model on and off the court.

“They push me to be a better person, for sure… ’Cause I got a little brother watching me. He wants to be just like me.”

What would you say to seven-year-old Coco, who just started playing tennis? What would you say to her right now?

Coco Gauff wearing Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on a tennis court

“Everything you’re doing is gonna pay off one day…

it’s almost like, falling in love, even though it’s not a person. I feel like every person who I talk to who’s been in love remembers those first kind of stages. And I remember falling in love with the game. And I guess for me, I would just say, keep loving it. And I still love it now, and that’s what I would tell myself now.”

What would you say to the young Black girl who begs her parents to watch you in a match? And her dream of watching you live comes true. And she sees the magic of your game. What would you say to her?

“I would say just give 100% of it every day. ‘Cause I feel like me, I don’t know what I will do in my career. I can’t see the future. But I just, I know at the end, I want to say I gave it my all.

So, I would say even in this moment, even when you don’t feel like it, just give it your all. Then I would say just focus on your goals. I think, you know, a lot of times, we’ll let the world, the society, or our parents, or people around us, shape how we want our futures to be.