Coco Gauff has temporarily swapped her tennis racket for a chef’s hat. After an impressive performance at the Australian Open, where she reached the quarterfinals before losing to Spain’s Paula Badosa, Gauff has returned to the United States. Taking a break from the intense tennis schedule, she has found a creative way to relax—cooking. The American tennis sensation recently gave fans a glimpse of her budding culinary skills, showing that her talents extend far beyond the tennis court.
On Instagram, Gauff shared a story showcasing her latest creation: a meal of grilled steak, baked potatoes, and green beans. Proud of her effort, she captioned it “made by moi 👩🏾🍳.” For Gauff, cooking is not just a casual pastime; it’s a part of her journey toward independence as she adjusts to living on her own.
Transitioning into this new phase of life has been a significant step for the 20-year-old athlete. During her WTA Finals campaign, she shared insights about this transition in an interview, revealing that she recently became a homeowner in her hometown of Delray Beach, Florida. While she now lives independently, she remains close to her family. “I’m still in the same city as my parents, and my parents have a court at home, so I practise there still. So it feels somewhat the same,” Gauff explained.
Living alone has introduced her to responsibilities she didn’t previously have to consider, including cooking. She admitted that her culinary journey has been a mix of successes and failures but is something she’s embracing wholeheartedly. “Obviously, I’m living alone, so I’m just trying to learn how to cook more, something I never really had to do living with both parents who like to cook,” she shared.
Beyond the kitchen, Gauff is also reconnecting with another passion: music. Music has always been a significant part of her life, with her favorite artists including Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, and Childish Gambino. This passion has even earned her recognition from notable musicians like Tyler, The Creator, who mentioned her in his 2024 single, “Thought I Was Dead.”
After a month-long stay in Melbourne for the Australian Open, Gauff recently posted on Instagram about what she missed most while away—her vinyl turntable. Sharing a video of it spinning the album Ego Death by the alternative R&B band The Internet, she wrote, “Was away from home for a month and I swear this is what I missed the most lol I wish I could travel with it fr.”
With the tennis season underway, Gauff is balancing her downtime with preparations for the upcoming tournaments. She is expected to compete in the next WTA 1000 event in Doha, Qatar. However, her last appearance at this tournament didn’t go as planned, as she suffered a surprising second-round defeat to Katerina Siniakova.
From mastering life skills like cooking to enjoying her love for music, Gauff’s life off the court highlights her vibrant personality and determination to grow both as a person and an athlete. As the season progresses, fans are eager to see whether she will add another title to her collection in the near future.