Coco Gauff lovingly blasts brother for leaving her on read, puts fake news tweet to bed

Modern communication has made touching base with loved ones easier than ever, but Coco Gauff has found teenagers are alike all over as she laughingly admits the struggle to keep up with her siblings while on the road is very real.

“It is tough keeping in touch, especially with my brothers in general. Codey is 16. Sometimes he has a sister; sometimes he doesn't. Like, depends on when he wants me to exist because he's in his cool phase right now,” Gauff explained after winning her eighth straight Grand Slam match on Monday at the 2024 Australian Open. “The youngest one, he's 10. He doesn't want to talk for long. He's on the game or whatever.”

Though she proceeds to roast brother Codey for leaving her text messages on read, the 19-year-old Gauff pivots back to a sentimental feeling when it comes to her strong family ties.

“Those relationships are incredibly important to me, especially, you know, traveling a lot, being by yourself a lot. I'm lucky enough that I can have my parents come with me, and my family sometimes, but it just reminds me that I'm a person, reminds me that my value is more than how I do on the court.

“I think when I remind myself about those relationships I'm able to just play freer and know that I have people love me regardless of how I do.”

Unlike family, the reigning US Open champion understands the internet is far fickler, even if it can lead to some hilarious moments from a falsely attributed quote claiming her New Balance kit was inspired by Serena Williams.

“That account is going to be happy they are being mentioned, but I saw that tweet and then I texted my agent. I was, like, ‘I don't remember ever saying this,’” she said of the quote. “Then the person replied or something and it was, like, a fake tweet. Their account said don't take things seriously. Then I realized it was fake…it was funny how that tweet kind of circulated. I know that account was probably, like, going to laugh at this.”

Her latest online adventure saw her jokingly feud with the USTA social account after they posted a hype post that drew her in the style of 90s Nickelodeon cartoon *The Wild Thornberrys*.

“People thought I was being serious, that I was actually mad with it!” she said in her post-match press conference. “I was like, no, I wasn't mad. We looked awful! And actually, I saw Ben [Shelton] post first on his story. Then I DM'd Ben immediately and I was like, ‘What is this?’ Then Jess [Pegula] started texting me. We were just, like, laughing at each person, we were laughing at Sebi's, I think Ben and Sebi had the worst ones.

“I know it was from a cartoon, and the artist, like, did great with the cartoon. I just don't know if I want myself drawn as that art style. I said I would prefer, like, Bratz because they look good and they are fashion and everything. But we did not look good at all.

“I did DM the USTA account,” she added as a post-script, “and I was, like, ‘What was the thought process behind this,’ as a joke. They never responded. I got left on read by USTA, which sucks. But, you know, it is what it is. Shout-out to, I think it's Wild Thornberrys is the cartoon. Shout-out to them for making us look funny.”

Gauff has found few issues being heard on the tennis court in 2024: still undefeated through her first six matches, the No. 4 seed will next face countrywoman Caroline Dolehide for a spot in the third round.