Wimbledon, London — In a tearful and deeply personal interview that aired Tuesday evening, American tennis star Coco Gauff shocked fans worldwide by revealing that she recently suffered her third miscarriage, a private heartbreak she says contributed to her early exit from Wimbledon this year.
The 21-year-old athlete, long hailed as one of tennis’s brightest young talents, sat down with sports journalist Samantha Lewis for an exclusive conversation, sharing details she had kept hidden from the public and even many in her inner circle.
“This was my third miscarriage,” Gauff said, voice trembling as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’ve tried to be strong and keep pushing through, but emotionally, I was shattered going into Wimbledon. I wanted so badly to compartmentalize and just focus on my tennis, but I couldn’t. It was too much pain to carry alone.”
Gauff explained that her decision to speak out was fueled by a desire to break the silence surrounding miscarriages, which remain stigmatized topics for many women, especially those in the public eye.
“I think people see athletes as superhuman, as if we’re immune to normal life struggles,” she said. “But we’re not. We have hopes and dreams for families too, and when that gets ripped away, it’s devastating. I felt like I owed it to other women going through this to say: you’re not alone.”
Despite arriving at Wimbledon determined to perform, Gauff confessed that grief and physical aftereffects made her preparation nearly impossible.
“I was dealing with doctor appointments, physical pain, and my mental health was spiraling,” she shared. “When I stepped on court, I felt numb. My timing was off. My focus wasn’t there. It’s no excuse, but it’s my reality.”
Fans were left stunned after Gauff’s second-round defeat to an unseeded opponent, a result many pundits deemed one of the tournament’s biggest upsets. At the time, Gauff offered little explanation beyond saying she “wasn’t feeling herself.”
Now, her revelation casts her performance in a stark new light.
“I didn’t want people to pity me,” Gauff admitted. “But I also realized hiding my truth was hurting me more.”
Messages of love and support flooded social media following the broadcast. Fellow players, including Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek, sent public notes of encouragement, praising Gauff’s bravery.
“Coco, you are strong beyond words,” Osaka wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Sending you love and healing.”
Gauff closed the interview with a message to fans: “I’m going to keep fighting. Both for my career and for my future family. I believe better days are coming.”
For now, the young star says she plans to take a short break to focus on her health before returning to training.