Tennis fans know Coco Gauff as a reigning Grand Slam champion and one of the finest players on the WTA Tour as the world No. 2.
But away from the court, she keeps things private – except from when she provided a small glimpse into her off-court personality after complimenting her close friend Alycia Parks.
Gauff reacted to a sunsoaked bikini post by her friend and fellow WTA player Parks. The exchange revealed a more relaxed, playful side of the tennis star that rarely emerges between intense matches and endorsements.
Parks, known for her powerful serve and growing presence on the tour, had been unwinding between tournaments. After falling in the early round of Montreal, she headed to Miami to recharge ahead of upcoming events.
Parks later shared beach photos enjoying boat rides with tennis peer Sachia Vickery, captioning the vibrant images “Pretty summers.”
Gauff – who has known Parks since childhood – chimed in under the post, commenting “So tea,” accompanied by a hearteyed emoji. The reaction was warm, enthusiastic, and very playful – a small move away from Gauff’s typically reserved online persona.
Their friendship goes back more than a decade, and fans have repeatedly seen Gauff support Parks through both triumphs and tough losses. When Parks won the Veneto Open doubles title with Hailey Baptiste last year, Gauff’s congratulatory response underscored the camaraderie between them, saying, “aye congrats” after the victory.
A close bond beyond the court
In their tennis careers, Gauff and Parks have crossed paths numerous times – most memorably at the 2024 Australian Open, where Gauff defeated Parks 6-0, 6-2 to advance to the fourth round.
Following the match, Gauff reflected on their long shared history: “I’ve known her since I was like eight years old… I always root for her.” Despite the competitive setting, the tone remained respectful and supportive.
Both players share more than oncourt familiarity, they also enjoy a flair for style and self-presentation. Parks has discussed her prematch beauty routine candidly: “I care about how I look on the court, but not for other people, for me. If I look good, I play good… I actually feel like I’m her today, and then I walk out.”
Her aesthetic sensibility mirrors Gauff’s own fashion-forward approach, often compared to icons like Serena and Venus Williams.
It’s rare to see Gauff react with such spontaneous appreciation-especially on social media where her presence is tightly managed. The “So tea” comment shows her admiration with a hint of playful flirtation, which goes against what most fans know her for, yet there is no doubt it will only make them adore her even more.
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