What is Coco Gauff’s real name? American superstar known by nickname after confusion with father
Coco Gauff has quickly become one of the biggest names in tennis.
The 20-year-old is a Grand Slam champion after winning the US Open last year and she continues to make history at Rolland-Garros.
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Gauff has become only the third American since 1968 to reach multiple women's singles semi-finals at the French Open before the age of 21.
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'Coco' may be one of the most famous names in the sport, but fans may be surprised to learn that it is in fact not her real name...
What is Coco Gauff’s real name?
Gauff’s name is actually Cori.
The teenager has always been known as Coco throughout her tennis career but that is only her nickname.
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She was born Cori, being named after her father who is also called Corey.
Speaking in an interview with , Gauff explained the reason why she is known as Coco.
She said: “So my dad’s name is also Corey and my parents always wanted their first child to be named Corey or Cori.
“Actually, no, I take that back! My mom wanted her first child to be named that but my dad said if I were a boy, he wouldn’t have named me Corey because he didn’t want a junior.
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“My nickname came about because we both can’t be named Corey/Cori, that’d be confusing.
“I believe it was my aunt who said, ‘Oh, we should just call her Coco.’ When my dad was growing up, people used to call him Co and I guess they just said, ‘Oh, Coco’s a cool nickname.’
“Ever since then, I’ve been going by Coco. For sure more people used Coco than Cori.”
Gauff's name is now known worldwide as the young sensation continues to make waves in the tennis world.
And she can taste some more Grand Slam success if she can go all the way at the French Open this week.
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