Coco Gauff’s mother, Candi Gauff, tearfully revealed the emotional journey to conquer the French Open: “The mocking, the insults, the harsh criticism – we chose silence and let the court speak for us!” Even more surprisingly, she revealed a shocking secret: Coco Gauff secretly woke up at 3 a.m. to quietly do something no one expected…

Coco Gauff’s Mother, Candi Gauff, Tearfully Reveals the Emotional Journey Behind French Open Triumph: “The Mocking, the Insults, the Harsh Criticism – We Chose Silence and Let the Court Speak for Us!”

And in a heart-stopping revelation, she unveils a secret few ever knew: Coco Gauff, behind the scenes, was quietly waking up at 3 a.m. to do something that would shock the world…

For years, Coco Gauff has been a symbol of resilience, grace under pressure, and youthful brilliance in the world of tennis.

The 2025 French Open victory not only marked a monumental achievement in her blossoming career but served as the culmination of a journey that was as emotionally draining as it was triumphant.

But what the cameras and cheering crowds never captured was the storm beneath the surface — a private struggle, a silent war waged not on the court, but in the heart of the Gauff family.

In an emotional, candid interview given shortly after Coco’s stunning French Open title win, her mother, **Candi Gauff**, broke her silence — revealing the untold story of pain, persistence, and an unwavering belief in her daughter’s dreams.

What followed was a deeply moving account of the Gauff family’s inner battles.

Candi did not merely share memories; she opened wounds, wiped away tears, and exposed truths that have been buried beneath Coco’s steely athletic poise.

And more unexpectedly, she revealed a secret that had even close members of the team astonished — a habit Coco developed in the dark early hours of the morning that ultimately became a secret weapon in her quest for glory.

The Mocking, The Insults, The Harsh Criticism

From the moment Coco Gauff burst onto the global stage as a 15-year-old, defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019, expectations skyrocketed.

But fame is a double-edged sword, and as Coco continued to rise, so did the voices of doubt and criticism.

“We saw it all,” Candi said, her voice cracking as she spoke. “The headlines questioning if she was just hype.

The so-called experts who said she was too emotional.

People on social media who said her parents were pushing her too hard. Even coaches we trusted at times told us she didn’t have the ‘mental game.’”

With each loss, the scrutiny intensified. Every mistake was magnified. Every stumble — on or off the court — became a reason to question her.

Coco’s athletic prowess was often overshadowed by narratives crafted by those who didn’t know her, hadn’t trained with her, and certainly hadn’t suffered alongside her.

“There were days,” Candi continued, “when I had to hold her in my arms after a tough match, not because she lost — but because of the things people said. They made it personal.”

The family made a deliberate choice: silence

“We chose not to respond publicly. We didn’t do interviews to clap back. We didn’t post cryptic tweets. We let Coco’s racquet do the talking.”

And when it spoke — especially in Paris — it roared.

A Mother’s Quiet Strength**

Candi Gauff is more than just a supportive tennis mom. A former track and field athlete and educator, she brought a measured, disciplined influence to Coco’s upbringing.

In contrast to the sometimes overly controlling presence of parents in elite sports, Candi balanced support with humility, encouragement with boundaries.

She recalls a turning point after a crushing loss in early 2023 — when Coco was eliminated from the French Open in the quarterfinals, her confidence visibly shaken.

“She walked off the court and said, ‘Maybe I’m not meant to win here,’” Candi recounted tearfully.

“And I looked her in the eyes and said, ‘Then we come back. We fight harder. If this is the dream, you chase it. Not because others believe in it — but because you do.’”

The Transformation*l

By the time the 2025 season rolled around, Coco was different. Her game had matured.

Her mental toughness had evolved. But something else had changed — something even her mother did not fully understand until much later.

“There was this discipline in her,” Candi said. “A calm intensity I hadn’t seen before. She wasn’t reacting anymore — she was preparing. There was this… fire in her.”

But behind that fire was a secret — something Coco hadn’t shared with anyone.

The 3 A.M. Secret

During the interview, Candi hesitated before speaking. Then, with a deep breath, she made a stunning revelation.

“Coco had started waking up at **3 a.m.** every morning for months leading up to Roland Garros. At first, I didn’t even notice.

I thought she was just going to the bathroom or something. But then I found out… she was sneaking off to our guest room, putting on headphones, and watching old matches.”

Not her own matches.

“She was watching *Serena*, *Steffi*, *Justine Henin*, *Iga Swiatek*, and even clay-court matches of Nadal. Over and over. She would take notes in a journal, breaking down patterns, shot selections, movement.

She studied the angles, the drop shots, the decision-making under pressure. She was teaching herself how to win on clay.”

Candi was in awe.

“I cried when I found out. Not because she was trying to hide it — but because I realized just how much she wanted it.

She didn’t do it for Instagram. She didn’t post about the grind. She didn’t ask us for praise. She did it quietly. Alone. At 3 a.m.”

That dedication, Candi believes, was the true turning point.

**The Weight of Expectations**

With sponsors, fans, and analysts projecting Coco as the face of the next generation, the pressure was enormous.

But unlike other prodigies who have buckled under similar weight, Coco carried it differently.

“She’s always had this grace,” Candi said. “But that grace is built on years of pain, of being misunderstood, and still choosing to rise.”

Candi admitted that as a mother, it was painful to watch her daughter navigate so much public judgment.

“There’s this idea that if you’re famous, you must be strong enough to take anything.

But Coco is still human. She still hurts. She still questions herself. But she never quit. That’s what people should know.”

The 2025 French Open: A Personal Mission

Coco entered the 2025 French Open not as the top seed, but as one of the most talked-about players on the Tour. Still, many predicted she would fall short again on clay — the surface long seen as her weakness.

“She told me before her first match, ‘This is not for them. This is for me. I’m playing to prove something to *myself*.’”

Round after round, she looked calmer. Smarter. More lethal. She dismantled opponents who had previously gotten the better of her.

She trusted her drop shots. Her backhand down the line became a weapon. Her court coverage, as always, was elite.

But it was the mental game — the poise in tight moments — that stood out.

“That was the 3 a.m. work,” Candi said, smiling through tears. “That was her gift to herself.

The Moment of Triumph

When Coco finally clinched the title, collapsing to the clay in tears, the world celebrated. But for Candi, it was more than just a win.

“I didn’t see a champion. I saw my baby girl — the one who used to sleep with a racquet. The one who cried after her first loss at age 7.

The one who used to tell me, ‘One day, I’ll win a Slam, Mommy. And I’ll do it my way.’”

As the trophy was hoisted and the crowd roared, Candi whispered a prayer of thanks — not just for the win, but for the journey.

A Message to the Critics**

When asked if she had anything to say to the critics and doubters who had disparaged her daughter over the years, Candi offered a powerful response:

“Nothing we could say would matter more than what Coco just did. The mocking, the insults, the harsh criticism — we chose silence. And now, the court has spoken.”

The Legacy Beyond the Trophy

Coco Gauff’s French Open victory is now etched in tennis history, but the story behind it — a story of family, resilience, unseen work, and quiet courage — is perhaps even more meaningful.

“This was never just about tennis,” Candi said. “This was about a young Black girl learning to believe in herself when others didn’t.

This was about perseverance. About faith. About never giving up, even when the world laughs at you.”

And as for what’s next?

Candi smiled.

“She’ll keep waking up early. Maybe not at 3 a.m. anymore,” she laughed. “But she’ll keep working. Because that’s who she is.”

Conclusion: The Power of Silent Determination

In a world obsessed with visibility, Coco Gauff and her family chose a different path — the path of silent determination.

No boasting. No self-congratulation. Just relentless preparation, self-belief, and a deep-rooted love for the game.

The 3 a.m. sessions will never show up on highlight reels. The sleepless nights, the tears, the prayers — they won’t appear in the statistics.

But those were the real matches. And Coco won them all.

As the world celebrates her title, it’s important to remember:

champions aren’t just born on the court — they’re forged in the silence, in the shadows, and sometimes, in a quiet room at 3 a.m. with only dreams for company.