Coco Gauff Details 1 Unexpected Thing She Did with Her Boyfriend to Watch Venus Williams’ DC Open Match
Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and 2023 US Open champion, shared a surprising personal anecdote about cooking dinner with her boyfriend, Jalen Sera, to watch Venus Williams’ historic victory at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open on July 22, 2025. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Gauff revealed that she, someone who “never cooks,” prepared a full dinner to celebrate the occasion, a rare and heartfelt gesture driven by her excitement to see the seven-time Grand Slam champion compete. “I never cook, but I made dinner that night… dinner and everything because I was so excited to watch her play,” Gauff said (web:0).
The 21-year-old tennis star, speaking about the match where 45-year-old Williams defeated Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4, described it as “the first match I’ve been excited to watch in a while.” She watched alongside Sera, an Atlanta-based musician she’s been dating since 2023, adding, “My boyfriend was with me, and I was just like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t wait’” (web:0). Gauff’s enthusiasm was palpable as she jokingly urged Ben Shelton, who played before Williams, to “wrap this up” so she could focus on her idol’s match (web:2). Williams’ win made her the second-oldest woman to claim a WTA Tour-level singles victory, a feat Gauff praised for its “longevity” and inspiration for women’s tennis (web:0).
Gauff’s admiration for Williams, whom she called an “icon,” stems from their shared history, including Gauff’s 2019 Wimbledon upset over Williams at age 15 and their 2021 French Open doubles partnership (web:6, web:14). The dinner, a spontaneous act, offered a glimpse into Gauff’s personal life, showcasing her ability to balance her intense career with meaningful moments. Fans on X celebrated the story, with one post noting, “Coco cooking for Venus’ match is the wholesome content we need” (@TennisInfinity1, August 18, 2025) (post:0).
This moment mirrors the support systems of other athletes, like Luke Littler relying on his girlfriend during his New Zealand Darts Masters win or Emma Raducanu’s bond with Paula Badosa amid injury recovery. As Gauff prepares for the US Open, where she’ll focus on singles after a packed schedule, her heartfelt gesture underscores her deep respect for Williams’ legacy and her ability to find joy in simple, personal acts (web:8).
