For many athletes, admiration for their predecessors runs deep. But when Coco Gauff, one of the brightest young stars in women’s tennis, shared an intimate detail about how she celebrated Venus Williams’ DC Open appearance, it gave fans a glimpse into her personal life rarely seen before. In a candid interview, Gauff revealed that she did something truly unusual—she cooked dinner with her boyfriend, an activity she admits she almost never does, just to enjoy the moment of watching Venus play.
The story is more than a sweet anecdote; it reflects Gauff’s admiration for Venus Williams’ longevity, her understanding of tennis history, and her own growing identity as a star on and off the court.
A Rare Glimpse into Coco’s Private World
Coco Gauff, just 21 years old, has already accomplished feats most players can only dream of. She’s a U.S. Open champion, a top-ranked WTA player, and a global ambassador for youth, athleticism, and empowerment. Yet behind the racquet, she is still a young woman navigating life, relationships, and finding joy outside of tennis.
Speaking to PEOPLE, she confessed:
“I never cook, but I made dinner that night—dinner and everything because I was so excited to watch [Venus] play.”
The admission brought laughter, but also warmth, as fans got a rare look at Gauff doing something domestic and simple with her boyfriend. For an athlete constantly traveling, training, and competing, such moments are both rare and cherished.
For Gauff, this wasn’t just about food—it was about creating a memory, pausing her own whirlwind career to soak in the magic of watching Venus Williams, the very player who paved the way for so many, including her.
Venus Williams: A Legend Worth Watching
Venus Williams, now in her 40s, is an icon of women’s tennis. With seven Grand Slam singles titles, four Olympic gold medals, and a career spanning decades, her presence on court is more than a competition—it’s history unfolding.
For Gauff, watching Venus play wasn’t simply about enjoying tennis; it was about appreciating a legacy. She explained:
“That was the first match I’ve been excited to watch in a while. I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t wait!’”
To Gauff, Venus represents longevity, resilience, and trailblazing achievement. It’s no surprise that she wanted the moment to feel special, even if it meant stepping into unfamiliar territory like cooking.
Generational Admiration: Venus and Coco
The bond between Venus Williams and Coco Gauff is unspoken yet powerful. Venus and her sister Serena redefined women’s tennis in the 2000s, breaking barriers for Black athletes and inspiring an entire generation—including Coco.
When Gauff burst onto the scene at Wimbledon in 2019, stunning the tennis world by defeating Venus Williams in the opening round, it was a symbolic passing of the torch. At just 15, Gauff called it one of the most emotional wins of her career. Years later, the admiration hasn’t faded.
Her eagerness to watch Venus play in 2025 shows that even as she forges her own legacy, Gauff continues to look up to the pioneers who inspired her journey.
Cooking as a Symbol of Excitement
The fact that Gauff chose to cook dinner—a task she openly admits she almost never does—is a powerful metaphor. It wasn’t about the food, but the act. For her, preparing dinner was a way to mark the occasion, to do something different and meaningful for a special night.
Sports psychologists often talk about the rituals athletes create to honor big moments, and for Gauff, this dinner became part of her Venus-watching ritual. It highlighted her playful side, her romantic relationship, and her ability to appreciate life beyond the court.
A Shared Experience with Her Boyfriend
Though Gauff is typically private about her relationships, she openly mentioned watching the match alongside her boyfriend. This little detail resonated with fans, as it humanized her—showing that even top athletes want to share special sports moments with loved ones.
It wasn’t just about watching tennis; it was about togetherness. Gauff’s choice to cook and enjoy Venus’ match with her boyfriend reflects a desire to connect, to pause, and to celebrate something bigger than herself.
What It Says About Coco’s Perspective
The moment also revealed Gauff’s growing maturity. Despite being one of the youngest stars on tour, she has a perspective that goes beyond wins and losses. She recognizes the importance of cherishing moments, especially as legends like Venus continue to perform at a high level despite their age.
“I think for women’s tennis it’s great just to see the longevity that we can have,” she said, adding that few players will ever achieve what Venus has managed.
Her words reflected deep respect, but also awareness of her own career path. While she doesn’t see herself playing into her forties, Gauff remains committed to staying healthy and extending her time on tour as much as possible.
Beyond Tennis: Coco’s Expanding Brand
Interestingly, this anecdote came at a time when Gauff is branching into ventures beyond tennis. She recently partnered with Naked Smoothies to launch the brand’s first signature drink: the Protein Pineapple Orange Smoothie.
Packed with 20 grams of plant protein, vitamins B6 and B12, and electrolytes, the drink represents Gauff’s growing influence in wellness and lifestyle. She even plans to host Coco’s Corner Store, a New York pop-up event in August 2025, ahead of the U.S. Open.
This blend of tennis, health, and entrepreneurial spirit shows how Gauff is following in the footsteps of legends like Venus and Serena, who built empires both on and off the court.
Why This Story Resonates
There are several reasons why Gauff’s Venus-watching dinner has struck a chord:
- Relatability: Even global sports icons do normal things like cooking dinner with a loved one.
- Generational Connection: It underscores the importance of Venus’ influence on younger stars.
- Balance of Life: It shows Gauff values personal joy and history as much as her own career success.
- Humanization of Fame: Fans get to see Coco not just as a champion, but as a 21-year-old cherishing time with her partner.
The Bigger Picture
Sports moments aren’t just about victories and titles; they are about connections, inspirations, and rituals. For Coco Gauff, making dinner to watch Venus Williams was an act of reverence, a way to honor the woman who inspired her tennis dreams.
It also paints a picture of a young athlete grounded in her roots—humble enough to celebrate her idols, yet ambitious enough to carve out her own future.
Venus Williams may have inspired Coco with her racquet, but Gauff’s gesture shows that inspiration translates beyond the court, into kitchens, relationships, and everyday life.
Coco Gauff’s revelation about making dinner with her boyfriend to watch Venus Williams’ DC Open match is a story that goes beyond tennis. It highlights her admiration for a legend, her playful and spontaneous personality, and her ability to appreciate history while writing her own.
At just 21, Gauff is already becoming a global icon, but moments like these remind us that she is also someone who celebrates life’s small joys. In cooking dinner—a rare activity for her—she showed that sometimes, the simplest gestures carry the deepest meaning.
As she prepares for future tournaments and ventures, this story will stand out as one of those charming reminders that even the fiercest athletes have soft, human sides. And just like her tennis, Coco’s ability to connect with the moment makes her one of the most compelling stars of her generation.
