Before Carlos Alcaraz became a household name, even within the tennis world, he flew under the radar – so much so that Coco Gauff didn’t recognize him when he first reached out.
In a recent interview with Bleacher Report, Gauff, now the No. 2 ranked player on the WTA Tour, revealed a lighthearted but surprising moment from 2019: Alcaraz once messaged her on Instagram, asking, “Do you remember me?”
Her reply? Silence.
At the time, Alcaraz was an unknown teenager from Spain still working his way up the ranks. Gauff, a rising star herself after a breakout Wimbledon run that year, admitted she didn’t remember who he was – and didn’t respond.
That ghosting moment has since gone viral after her candid confession during the interview.
It wasn’t until 2022, when Alcaraz stormed to his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, that Gauff realized who he was.
The win made Alcaraz the youngest world No. 1 in ATP history and solidified his place among the sport’s elite. Only then did Gauff finally send him a congratulatory message on Instagram.
How social media revealed a missed connection between future stars
While the story has brought laughter and light-hearted reactions from fans, it also highlights just how quickly things can change in professional sports. Back in 2019, both players were teenagers on the rise. Today, they’re among the brightest stars in tennis – and both Grand Slam champions.
Alcaraz‘s rapid ascent from relative obscurity to global tennis sensation has been one of the most compelling narratives in recent years. By the time Gauff circled back with a message of congratulations, he had already captured the world’s attention with his all-court prowess and fearless attitude.
Gauff herself has enjoyed a meteoric rise. After her US Open title in 2023, she cemented her status as one of the faces of the women’s game. The two young champions are now symbols of a new generation redefining tennis both on and off the court.
Their brief social media anecdote has added a touch of humor and relatability to their meteoric careers – a reminder that even global stars have missed messages and awkward DMs.
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