Coco Gauff is savoring the win.
As she preps for her opening match at the upcoming U.S. Open, Gauff added another triumph at the Cincinnati Open, defeating Marta Kostyuk in the quarterfinals.
She went on to defeat Jessica Pegula in the final, securing her second Cincinnati title after first lifting it in 2023.
Naturally, one way Gauff marked this year’s achievement was by acknowledging the crowd.
During her Aug. 21 on-court interview after defeating Kostyuk, she shared a playful moment with a fan in the stands who had been cleverly chanting her name throughout the match.
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Gauff directed her attention to the male interviewer when he asked, “What is it about these kinds of tournaments that bring out the best in you?”
But as soon as she answered, a smile lit up her face. “Um, definitely playing in front of this home crowd,” she replied, grinning from ear to ear.
The crowd roared, and Gauff paused briefly before continuing her response.
“Yeah. I don’t know who was saying ‘I’m in love with the coco,’ but I like that one. That was a good one,” she said, gesturing toward someone in the stands as the crowd erupted again.
“And it’s the right coco, so,” she cheekily added.
Coco Gauff to the crowd after beating Kostyuk in Cincinnati
“I don’t know who was saying ‘I’m in love with the Coco,’ but I like that one. That was a good one. And it’s the right Coco!”
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Wp0cjVzCgD— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 22, 2026
The line originates from the 2014 track “CoCo,” by California artist O.T. Genasis.
In the chorus, he sings “I’m in love with the coco,” a slang reference to cocaine.
Gauff laughed so hard she had to cover her face with her hands and eventually told the interviewer to move on to the next question.
“You’re making me blush,” the interviewer replied off camera before the clip cut to a close.
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Danielle Brooks
I am a staff writer at New York Beacon, where I focus on culture, entrepreneurship, and the emerging voices redefining Black America. My work highlights innovators, artists, and founders whose stories often unfold beyond mainstream headlines but shape communities in meaningful ways. Through precise reporting and thoughtful storytelling, I aim to document progress, challenge narratives, and contribute to a stronger Black press tradition.