Coco Gauff recently found herself in a humorous exchange of banter with her boyfriend, Jalen Sera, just days after capturing her first French Open title.
As the newly crowned Roland Garros champion enjoyed a quiet meal with her partner – with whom she went public in November 2024 – a quirky debate over cantaloupe offered fans a charming peek into their relationship and her personal life.
Following her triumph at Roland Garros, Gauff shared a lighthearted Instagram story featuring her plate and some choice praise for the fruit: “grub Cantaloupe is awesome.”
Her boyfriend Sera, an Atlanta-based musician, is never one to shy away from some good-natured teasing and he responded bluntly: “Cantaloupe sux!!!!!!”
The exchange was simple yet delightful – two young people playfully disagreeing over fruit, even as one of them stood atop the tennis world.
Gauff later revealed that “Cantaloupe” had even been one of her nicknames as a child, adding another layer of humor to the exchange. It highlighted the comfort and closeness of their relationship – something that’s become a subtle source of strength during Gauff’s historic rise.
Emotional breakthrough on Paris clay
Gauff’s win at Roland Garros was more than just another WTA title – it was a long-awaited breakthrough that confirmed her place among tennis’s elite.
The 21-year-old American overcame reigning champion Iga Swiatek in a dramatic three-set semifinal before defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a fiercely contested final. The victory marked her second Grand Slam title, having previously won the 2023 US Open.
Her triumph in Paris was especially significant, as Gauff had reached the final there in 2022, only to fall short against Swiatek in straight sets. That defeat, though painful, became a learning moment. “I knew I belonged at this level, but winning here has made it real,” Gauff told reporters following the final. “This has been my dream since I was a kid.”
Even with her on-court dominance, Gauff has remained deliberate about which parts of her personal life she shares with the public. While her relationship with Sera had long been speculated about, she kept it largely under wraps – until recently.
“Some parts of myself I love to share, and then some parts I think I just keep to myself. And I think that’s just the beauty of it all,” Gauff said.
The cantaloupe moment is one of those rare glimpses into her off-court life – silly, sweet, and grounded. With Sera’s support and her own confidence growing, Gauff now turns her focus to Wimbledon, where she’ll aim to carry this momentum onto the grass courts.
For now, though, the French Open champion is savoring her hard-earned moment, both in her career and her personal life – even if not everyone at the table shares her taste in fruit.
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