After witnessing Coco Gauff’s impressive performance in recent tennis tournaments, including her victory over world No. 1 Iga Świątek at the Cincinnati Open, one might wonder if there’s anything this tennis prodigy can’t achieve.
Confessing, “I’m not particularly skilled in cooking,” the sixth-ranked global tennis star shares with Women’s Health that she’s embarked on a culinary journey. Although the 19-year-old only started exploring her way around the kitchen this summer, she’s finding genuine enjoyment in the process. “It’s something I intend to improve in the future,” she notes.
This year, Coco’s potential knows no bounds. As a top contender at the U.S. Open in New York City, she appears unfazed by the tournament’s pressure. “I have immense trust in my playing style,” she asserts. “While I usually approach this event with more nervousness than others, I feel remarkably confident today.”
With a new coaching team, Coco believes her mindset will set her apart at the U.S. Open. “There’s no secret formula. It’s about mental shifts and self-belief,” she reveals. “Gaining a fresh perspective on the game and life in general has simplified my on-court performance.”
This unique perspective also shines through in her recently unveiled New Balance tennis shoe, the Coco CG1, in the vibrant “City Brights” design. Reflecting on New York’s electric atmosphere, she elaborates, “Bright colors, lively lights, a radiant city – that’s New York for me.” This footwear is complemented by several coordinated outfits, embodying the city’s daring spirit.
While Coco modifies her shoes for the tournament, her routine remains consistent. She maintains, “I don’t alter anything on match day,” adopting a practice-focused approach to the matches themselves. “I aim to transform matches into practice sessions,” she explains.
In anticipation of her U.S. Open matches, Coco divulges her training-fueling meals to Women’s Health, enabling her to compete alongside tennis greats, including herself.
Protein and carbs headline breakfast. For Coco, the morning’s first meal strikes a balance between protein and carbohydrates. She reveals, “Today, I had eggs, potatoes, sausage, and fruit. That’s my typical breakfast.”
This combination effectively boosts endurance during workouts. While carbs offer energy, protein’s amino acids facilitate muscle growth and repair. Protein also moderates carb absorption, preventing sudden blood sugar spikes.
Although Coco gravitates toward nutritious choices, she concedes that if she weren’t an elite athlete, pancakes would be a daily indulgence. Instead, she satisfies her sweet tooth with fruit.
Lunch adapts to her schedule. Coco’s midday meal varies, especially depending on whether a match is on the horizon. During tournaments, pasta becomes her go-to choice. “I adore pasta; it’s a simple way to fuel up,” she asserts.
Outside of tournament mode, hearty bowls starring rice or beans, chicken, and avocado take center stage in her diet.
Dinnertime experimentation. During her active season, dinner revolves around proteins like salmon or chicken, paired with vegetables. While she leans away from red meat, she occasionally enjoys a steak.
Her recent kitchen experiments center on the air fryer, her tool for quick dinners. “It’s incredibly convenient and easy to clean,” she praises. Impressively, Coco concocted air-fried Brussels sprouts and salmon that earned her approval.
A hydration secret. To remain hydrated during rigorous training and tennis matches, Coco swears by Pedialyte, an electrolyte drink known for replenishing fluids, electrolytes, and zinc. She’s been a fan for quite some time, humorously noting that back when it was considered solely for babies, she was already enjoying it.
Regular Pedialyte consumption helps her stave off cramps and dehydration, but during matches, she sticks to water.
Indulging in dessert. Her penchant for sweets is undeniable. Currently, Coco’s craving for brownies tops her list, although her dessert of choice can change daily. She reminisces, “After my victory in Cincinnati, I had a hamburger, followed by ice cream. While I adore ice cream, brownies are my current favorite.”
Following her win in Ohio, Coco’s family was exhilarated, leaving her to humorously remark, “You guys should be calmer by now!” The excitement seems destined to persist, accompanied by celebratory brownies and ice cream in Coco’s future.
Witness Coco’s preparation in action as she shines on the court, broadcasting on ESPN or FuboTV this week.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digest Pulse journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
