“Want to Give Back”- $50,000 Gift to Hometown Puts Coco Gauff in Step With Serena Williams Through Iconic Cereal Collab
From the small tennis courts of Delray Beach, a tennis prodigy was born: Coco Gauff. At just six years old, she began playing, and by 15, she shocked the world by defeating Venus Williams in the first round of Wimbledon 2019. By 19, she had secured her place in tennis history by winning the 2023 US Open, becoming the youngest American to do so since Serena Williams in 1999. Now, Gauff’s rise is inspiring her to give back to the community that helped shape her.
In 2024, Gauff became the latest athlete to appear on Wheaties’ iconic orange box, joining legends like Billie Jean King and Serena Williams. This honor represents a significant milestone in her career, and she’s now using this platform to support her hometown.
On April 9, Gauff took to Wheaties’ Instagram to announce an exciting update. “Hi guys, it’s Coco. I am super honored again to be on the Wheaties box, ‘Breakfast of Champions,’ following in the footsteps of Billie Jean King. I’m proud to say that General Mills and I are donating $50,000 to Delray Beach Parks & Recreation,” she shared. “I grew up playing on public tennis courts right here in Delray, and this cause means a lot to me.”
The donation is part of Gauff’s ongoing commitment to support her local community. Pompey Park, where she trained as a child, holds special meaning for the Gauff family. Her grandfather, Eddie ‘Red’ Odom, a civil rights pioneer, has a baseball field at the park named in his honor. As a testament to Gauff’s impact, the USTA refurbished the park’s tennis courts as part of its US Open Legacy Initiative.
Gauff’s journey is deeply intertwined with Delray Beach. Her parents, both former collegiate athletes, moved back to Florida to ensure Coco had access to better facilities. This dedication to supporting young athletes is reflected in her recent work, including the launch of the Coco Delray low-top sneakers, inspired by her hometown. “Growing up playing basketball helped shape me as both a player and a person, and I want to help kids today have opportunities to pursue whatever sport they love,” she said.
Coco’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond tennis. Earlier this year, she made a generous $100,000 donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) in honor of Black History Month, supporting HBCU students excelling in tennis. Gauff’s connection to HBCUs is personal, with her family having a long history with these institutions.
“From my great-great-grandfather to my aunts, uncles, and cousins, HBCUs have shaped who we are,” she shared. This donation makes her one of the youngest major donors in UNCF’s 80-year history. The funds will support the creation of the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program, which will begin in May 2025.
As Coco continues to give back, her impact on the tennis world and beyond is undeniable. As she prepares for the clay court season, fans are eager to see if she can overcome recent setbacks and reclaim her momentum.
