Coco Gauff: A 1 Timothy 4:12 Model & Tennis Sensation

Coco Gauff

What’s the Spark Igniting her Passion?

Coco Gauff is one athlete tennis fans look forward to seeing during this year’s U.S. Open. Her determination, playing style, and work ethic make any match she competes in feel like must-watch television.

While these are great attributes for any competitor to possess, they aren’t the reason she’s the subject of this article. Instead, I’d like to draw your attention to something else.

What’s the source of her determination? What’s the spark igniting her passion for tennis and other matters? 

I’ll answer these questions by highlighting her family background and the principles that helped shape who she is and will become.  Then, I’ll explain how she models 1 Timothy 4:12 in her private life and the spotlight.    

A Legacy of Athletics & Sacrifice

Parenting with a Purpose

Corie Daine “Coco” Gauff was born on March 13, 2004, in Delray Beach, Florida, but spent her early years in Atlanta, Georgia.  She is the oldest child and only daughter of Corey and Candi Gauff. The name Corie comes from her father, and she is called Coco so as not to confuse the two. Corey and Candi also have two younger sons, Codey and Cameron Gauff. 

When you learn about the Gauff family, it’s no surprise Coco is a phenomenal tennis player. This is because Candi was a gymnast and ran track at Florida State University. Corey played basketball at Georgia State University. After college, he worked as a pharmaceutical executive while Candi became a teacher. 

Thriving careers didn’t stop the Gauffs from ensuring Coco was involved in sports. Proverbs 22:6 instructs parents to train their children in the way they should go. The Gauffs did this by intentionally getting Coco involved in sports at an early age.  

They did this, desiring their firstborn to develop a passion for sports similar to their own. Consequently, Coco participated in basketball, gymnastics, soccer, and track.  

Corey’s philosophy behind Coco playing different sports was to help her become a well-rounded athlete.  While the Gauffs’ plan for her was to be athletically well-rounded, God’s purpose for Coco was to become a tennis star.

When the Gauffs noticed her talent, they quit their jobs and moved to Delray Beach, Florida. Corey became her tennis coach, while Candi became her homeschool teacher.

Coco Gauff Honors the Sacrifice of Her Elders

The Gauffs’ decision to quit their jobs and relocate to another state so Coco can achieve her dreams is an honorable gesture. Interestingly, these are not the only acts of selflessness done by Coco’s family.

Philippians 2:3-4 encourages believers not to be selfish and to show concern for the interests of others. Coco’s grandmother (Yvonne Lee Odom) practiced selflessness by becoming the first African American to integrate Seacrest High School in Delray, Florida, in 1961.

Integration came at the cost of leaving Carver High School, an all-black institution. Odom took advantage of the opportunity by attending every school activity she could, even playing basketball.

Her activism is hereditary, as her father was a member of a committee laboring to recruit Black students to attend schools in Florida. Her activism is also foreshadowing, as she became a school teacher in Delray.

Similarly, her husband (Coco’s grandfather), Eddie “Red” Odom, also practiced activism through selflessness. As a Minor League and Winter League baseball player, Odom is known for starting one of the first Little Leagues in Delray Beach. He still owns a local Little League and spends time trying to introduce baseball to young Blacks.

Modeling 1 Timothy 4:12 

Coco Gauff Grabs Hold of the Mantle

Coco Gauff praises her grandparents for their labor and making sacrifices so others can live a better life. As a result, Coco Gauff chooses to make decisions that help the youth live a better life.

This obligation may stem from her grandmother’s reminders that she is a human first, then an athlete.

Coco’s desire to grab hold of the mantle passed down by her grandparents must make her a crowning glory in their eyes. Her commitment also makes her a model of 1 Timothy 4:12 as she sets an example through her charity. 

Coco is devoted to helping the Black community and the needy by performing good deeds like 

1. Donating $100,000 to the United Negro College Fund (UNICEF) to support HBCUs.    
2. Establishing the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program, which gives scholarships to tennis players through UNICEF.
3. The Coco Gauff Foundation raising $10 million in 24 hours for “Serve the Shelter” to combat youth homelessness.
4. Donating $15.9 million in prize money to homeless shelters in South Carolina. 

Standing on Business

Along with being exemplary through acts of charity like combating youth homelessness, Coco also lives by 1 Timothy 4:12 through her love. Paul describes love as an attribute that doesn’t celebrate injustices but rejoices when the truth wins out.

Coco is demonstrating love and helping the truth win out by confronting cyberbullying. Coco does this when calling out gambling companies and social media platforms for failing to protect tennis players, other athletes, and influencers from enduring abuse online.

She says the abuse involves behavior like racist comments, nudity through direct messages, death threats, and stalking. She believes the issue can be resolved, but gambling and social media companies need to take steps like

• Taking more legal action involving law enforcement.
• Enhancing security methods to ban users who make abusive and threatening comments.  
• Developing stronger comment filtering methods.

Along with confronting social media platforms, Coco demonstrates love by advocating for communities experiencing injustices. Covertly, her on-court excellence builds upon strides made by tennis stars like Billie Jean King, by creating space for Black athletes in a predominantly white sport.  

Overtly, Coco participated in a Black Lives Matter Rally where she presented a compassionate speech at Delray Beach City Hall. She also advocates for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.

As mentioned earlier, Coco’s love for and stance against social injustices are influenced by the examples set by her grandparents. 

Unashamed of Her Faith

Similarly, her grandmother inherited the courage to fight injustices and faith in God from Coco’s great-grandfather. He was the pastor of and a committee member known for striving to integrate schools in Florida.    

Coco grabs hold of this faith-filled legacy and models 1Timothy 4:12 by being unashamed to acknowledge God publicly. Immediately after winning the 2023 U.S. Open, Coco kneels at a bench, posturing herself in prayer.

During the post-match interview, she mentions how faith helps her overcome the trials of competing in tennis. She also talks about how she doesn’t plead for victory but asks God for the strength to do her best.

Her faith is admirable considering that many refuse to acknowledge displays of faith. ESPN did this, suggesting Coco was simply soaking in the moment after the U.S. Open instead of praying.   

Coco’s bold faith deserves applause because she is setting a good example for other Christian athletes. She is showing them practical ways they can be pleasing to God without imposing their religious views on others. She is also teaching them how to give God thanks and glory in every situation.

Coco Gauff Career Accolades

Her Accomplishments So Far

Coco’s faith is also allowing her to be a shining light, as sports commentators believe it plays a significant role in helping her maintain composure during matches. Her calm demeanor also helps her interact with opponents humbly when she isn’t respected for her winning efforts during matches.

She proves this by choosing to accept the apology of Aryna Sabalenka, who blames the loss on her mistakes rather than Coco’s skills and endurance. 

Her conduct is probably the reason why she has been able to achieve the following accolades during her career

• Being a 2x ESPY Award recipient for Tennis Player of the Year (2024 & 2025).
• Being the United States Women’s Flagbearer for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
• Earning $34.4 million last year, making her the highest-paid female athlete in 2024.
• Having a winning career record of 264-111.
• Making the Round of 4 at Wimbledon 2019, where she became the youngest player to defeat her idol, Venus Williams.
• Obtaining the World No.1 Ranking in Doubles.
• Obtaining the World No.2 Ranking in Singles.
• Winning the 2023 U.S. Open Singles Tournament at 19 years old (the youngest female to do so).
• Winning both the 2025 French Open Singles and Doubles Titles in June.

This is only a short list of what she’s already accomplished at a young age. I encourage you to follow the 2025 U.S. Open Singles Tournament to see if Coco Gauff will emerge victorious and add another accomplishment to her resume.

Regardless of the outcome, you can be sure she’ll give it her best and model 1 Timothy 4:12 every step of the way.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback is greatly appreciated! Please leave your comments below.