Coco Gauff's mother, Candi, has issued a public statement urging family and friends not to ask for US Open tickets. The world No. 4 is competing in her home Grand Slam tournament, where she has a chance to win her third Major title and reach the top of the rankings.
Candi took to Instagram to share an open letter, confirming that no more tickets were available to give out and laying out ground rules for future requests. The 2023 champion in Flushing Meadows did not realise her mum had sent the message, but found it hilarious.
Blunt message to loved ones
In the Instagram post ahead of this year's US Open, Gauff's mum wrote: "Dear Family and friends, I apologise in advance for this blunt, but necessary statement. I know you are very excited about Coco playing in the US Open. Me too!!! Coco's guest ticket request have already been accounted for.
"Unfortunately, I will not be able to hook you up with a ticket. Please make arrangements to purchase a ticket. Side note, never ask for more than 2 tickets. Coco is grown now and she has her own friends that she is honouring tickets for the match. Thank you for your continued support."
Support from fellow players
The post earned plenty of support from other players, not just her own daughter. "You're funny for this," the two-time Major champion commented. "Say it louder for the people in the back," world No. 3 Jessica Pegula wrote. "Iconic," former Aussie Open champ Madison Keys added. Frances Tiafoe's girlfriend and Canadian tennis player Ayan Broomfield commented: "I wish captions could be retweeted."
Gauff later addressed the post when she arrived in Flushing Meadows, clarifying that she did not know it was coming. But she did not blame her mum for taking action.
Gauff's reaction and next match
"To be honest, yeah, people come out of the woodwork," the 22-year-old explained. "You haven't spoken to someone for years. They don't say congrats or happy birthday or nothing, then they're like, 'Oh, I'm in New York, can I have eight tickets to your match in your box please?'
"They give us tickets here, but they're selling an event, so it's not like I can give all these people tickets. No, last year they were really stressed out between my mum and my dad trying to accommodate everyone. If we have it, we'll give it. But it was just, I think, stressful for them. A lot of people personally don't have my number, so they don't reach out to me. They'll reach out to them or someone on my team."
Gauff will face Zeynep Sonmez in her opening match. She is one of four players in contention for the No. 1 ranking this fortnight, and can claim the top spot if she lifts the trophy and if Elena Rybakina loses before the semi-finals.
