In a deeply emotional moment that gripped the hearts of tennis fans across the United States, **Candi Gauff**, the mother of American tennis star **Coco Gauff**, broke down in tears while speaking about her daughter’s surprising early exit from **Wimbledon 2025**.
Following Coco’s third-round loss to unseeded Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk—a defeat that sent shockwaves through the tennis world—Candi Gauff offered a rare and candid glimpse into what had been weighing on her daughter in recent weeks. Speaking to local reporters in Delray Beach, Florida, she pleaded for compassion and understanding from fans and the media.
> “Please understand me, my daughter,” she said, her voice trembling. “She’s still so young, and yet she’s carrying the pressure of an entire nation.”
Coco, just 21, entered Wimbledon as the second seed and one of the heavy favorites to win the title. Her aggressive game and growing maturity on court had made her a symbol of American tennis’ future. But the match against Kostyuk told a different story—uncharacteristic errors, body language that hinted at emotional exhaustion, and a sense of detachment that alarmed long-time supporters.
Candi Gauff, who has traveled with her daughter since the junior circuit, explained that Coco has been silently battling **mental fatigue**, **chronic anxiety**, and the crushing weight of global expectations.
> “She doesn’t complain. She never wants to make excuses. But I see it. The sleepless nights, the questions she asks herself. ‘What if I let them down? What if I’m not enough?’ It’s heartbreaking.”
The emotional confession struck a chord online. Within minutes, clips of the tearful interview began circulating on social media, with the hashtag **#WeLoveYouCoco** trending in the U.S. and around the world.
Fellow players and celebrities rallied behind the Gauff family. **Billie Jean King** posted:
> “Coco has already given so much to the sport. Let’s give her grace in return.”
**Zendaya**, a friend of the young star, wrote on Instagram:
> “You don’t owe anyone perfection. You owe yourself peace. We’re proud of you, Coco.”
Sources close to the Gauff team confirmed that Coco has been considering a short break from the tour to reset, with her next appearance tentatively scheduled for the U.S. Open Series in August. Her camp emphasized that her health—both physical and mental—comes first.
For her part, Coco has remained largely silent since the loss, offering only a brief social media post:
> “Not my day. But every setback is a setup. Thank you to everyone who’s standing with me. Love always.”
In a world that often demands relentless excellence from its young stars, Candi Gauff’s tearful plea has served as a powerful reminder: behind the racquet is a daughter, a young woman, and a human being navigating pressures most of us will never understand.
And for many Americans, that simple truth was more powerful than any trophy.