From Delray Beach’s small academy, a tennis prodigy ignited: six-year-old Coco Gauff. Family devotion fueled her rise; Florida became her training ground, her father her coach, her mother her teacher. Years spun into destiny. At 15, she shocked Wimbledon in 2019, dethroning Venus Williams in straight sets in the first round. And by 19, history beckoned: the 2023 US Open crown, the youngest American since Serena Williams in 1999. Coco’s journey has become a testament to dedication. It now inspires a new generation and herself to give back to her roots.
In 2024, Gauff has been on cereal aisles everywhere as Wheaties’ latest honoree of its signature orange box. The cereal giant teamed up with the 2023 US Open champion for the “Breakfast of Champions.” An honor that was previously seen by 39-time major champion and an equal rights pioneer Billie Jean King was honored by the brand and her idol, Serena Williams, who received this honor in 2019 after Althea Gibson became the first Black female tennis player to grace Wheaties cover in 2001. Quite a journey, right?
On April 9, Gauff revealed an exciting update through the Wheaties Cereal Instagram. Revealing that she had partnered with General Mills for an exciting upgrade. She said, “Hi guys, it’s Coco, and I am first, super honored again to be on the Wheaties box, ‘Breakfast for champions’ following the Billie Jean King and I’m proud to say that General Mills and I are donating $50,000 to Delray Beach Parks & Recreation. And one of the reasons why this is an important cause for me is because I grew up playing on public tennis courts right here in Delray.” Talk about giving back to your roots, right?
Coco Gauff’s journey to professional tennis began in Delray Beach, Florida. She started playing at six and trained daily by age seven. Her parents, both former collegiate athletes, moved back to Delray Beach to give her access to better facilities. The Pompey Park public tennis courts became her training ground under the guidance of her father, Corey Gauff.
Pompey Park holds deep significance for the Gauff family. Her grandfather, Eddie “Red” Odom, a civil rights pioneer, has the park’s baseball fields named after him. In recognition of Coco’s achievements, the USTA refurbished the park’s tennis courts as part of its US Open Legacy Initiative and dedicated them in her honor.
Additionally, reflecting on her childhood, Coco has mentioned how her father initially hoped she would pursue basketball. This inspired the design behind her New Balance CG2 shoes that she wore at the Australian Open. In March, she launched Coco Delray low-top sneakers inspired by her hometown. “Not just playing tennis but also playing basketball, which I feel like helped the development of me as a tennis player and me as a person. And I want to give back and give players, young kids the opportunity to pursue whatever sport they want,” she added.
Seems like Coco has been busy giving back through various projects. During Black History Month, she made a generous donation toward children’s education—another testament to her commitment to empowering future generations.
Coco makes a huge donation in honor of Black History Month
In a heartwarming move this February, tennis sensation Coco Gauff made headlines with her generous $100,000 donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The 20-year-old’s gift aims to support HBCU students excelling in competitive tennis. Gauff’s connection to HBCUs runs deep, as she shared, “My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs, going all the way back to my great-great-grandfather. From aunts and uncles to cousins, HBCUs have played a huge role in shaping who we are.”
Talk about making a splash! Gauff’s donation has made her one of the youngest major donors in UNCF’s 80-year history. The organization, which supports 37 member colleges and universities, will administer the “Coco Gauff Scholarship Program” starting May 2025. It’s clear that Gauff’s passion for uplifting her community stems from her grandmother, Yvonne Lee Odom, who fought racial injustices during her college years.
Gauff’s commitment to supporting the Black community isn’t new. She’s been vocal about honoring trailblazers like Venus and Serena Williams, who inspired her journey in tennis. “Finding myself was difficult. Being Black in tennis is, sometimes you do stick out like a sore thumb,” Gauff candidly shared in a video for ‘Baker Tilly US’ last year.
Now, as Gauff gears up for the clay season, fans are eager to see if she can bounce back from recent setbacks. Since her United Cup victory in January, she’s faced some early exits. Can she recover as the surface changes? Share your thoughts below!
The post “Want to Give Back”- $50,000 Hometown Gift Puts Coco Gauff in Step With Serena Williams Through Iconic Cereal Collab appeared first on EssentiallySports.
