Coco Gauff is a force to be reckoned with on the court, but off it, she’s down-to-earth and funny, making her a fan favorite. She’s not afraid to dish out witty comments, like when she told critics, “most of the internet coaches never coached anyone at my level or never played.” Gauff’s got a spark to her words that’s hard to ignore. Not to mention her friendship with the American fraternity is well-known amongst fans. Notably her friendship with players like Jessica Pegula and ATP’s Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, and Chris Eubanks. She knows she’s got a strong bond with each of them. But would she call them if she was in trouble?
On Tuesday, the WTA Instagram account asked Gauff, “Who would you not call in an emergency?” Her response was quick: “Definitely Frances Tiafoe.” This wasn’t surprising, given their playful banter. The two Americans constantly trade jokes that leave fans in stitches. She once teased him about his 2023 US Open outfit, saying he was “wearing confetti.” She even playfully mocked his serve, saying “Look at his serve, it sucks,” as part of their ongoing friendly rivalry.
Additionally, Coco tried to balance her choice by naming a WTA player too. However, she added, “Yeah either Frances Tiafoe on the men and on the women…I feel like women are just better and smarter so I can’t really think of somebody off the top of my head that wouldn’t be good. So I’m just honestly gonna stick with Frances. I feel like that’s a man question.” Casually noting that she would trust any of the WTA players over an ATP star. This response wasn’t surprising either, given her close relationships with her WTA friends.
Earlier, during a chat on the Tennis Channel, Gauff shared her thoughts on the best and worst texters among her friends. She named Jessica Pegula and Ben Shelton as the worst, while Chris Eubanks and Desirae Krawczyk were the best. Not just that, but she affectionately revealed that she calls Krawczyk “Mama Dez” and might even have her on her emergency contact list.
In the end, Gauff cleverly defused any tension by saying “No offense you guys” after claiming women were smarter than men. It’s clear she knows how to handle tough questions with ease. On the other hand, while she wouldn’t call Tiafoe in case of an emergency, she sure would defend him for his silly antics on court!
Gauff finds a scapegoat for Tiafoe’s racket mishap at the Indian Wells Open!
Frances Tiafoe recently made headlines for the most hilarious reason at the 2025 Indian Wells Open. On Friday night, he stepped onto Court 2 to face Damir Džumhur, only to realize he had forgotten his rackets! The crowd erupted into laughter as Tiafoe explained the situation to his opponent, and his coach, David Witt, sprinted off to retrieve the missing gear. After a brief delay, Tiafoe flashed his signature grin as the rackets arrived, and he went on to win the match in straight sets: 7-6(4), 7-6(7). This moment of forgetfulness turned into a memorable night for “Big Foe” in the California desert.
But Tiafoe didn’t stop there. A day later, he was at it again, this time faking a racket mishap before his third-round match against Yosuke Watanuki. The chair umpire was momentarily worried, but Tiafoe quickly broke into a smile, revealing it was all a prank. Although his match against Watanuki didn’t end on a high note, with Tiafoe losing 4-6, 6-7(6), his humor and lightheartedness stole the show. This playful side of Tiafoe is something Coco Gauff knows well, as the two share a close friendship filled with banter and mutual teasing.
Speaking to the Tennis Channel on Tuesday, she defended Tiafoe’s forgetfulness, saying, “Honestly, to defend, I am to defend Frances which is a rare thing. I’m gonna put the blame on David. I’m putting it on David because usually the coaches… Well, from what I’ve seen, and my team, the coaches will bring the rackets to us right before a match and put them in our bag.”
Despite joking that she wouldn’t call Tiafoe in an emergency, it’s clear that their bond is strong and will continue to entertain fans with their witty exchanges and humorous antics. Do you think we’ll get more antics from Gauff and Tiafoe as the season continues?
The post “That’s a Man Question,” Coco Gauff Dodges WTA Players to Pick Frances Tiafoe as Her Emergency Contact in a Shocking Admission appeared first on EssentiallySports.
