In the world of elite sports, fame brings both adoration and unsettling dangers. Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion and one of the most marketable athletes globally, has revealed that she, too, has fallen victim to stalking at airports—a disturbing reality faced by many female athletes.
The 20-year-old World No. 3 responded to a chilling account from Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas, who shared her own experiences of being stalked by individuals with access to her flight details, even when she didn’t know them herself.
Gabby Thomas’ Chilling Confession Sparks Gauff’s Admission
Thomas, a multiple-time Olympic medalist in track and field, posted a TikTok video recounting how strangers have been tracking her movements at airports across the country.
“It doesn’t matter what city. They’ve come when I was traveling to and from Chicago, they’ve come when I’m traveling to and from Miami. And they have my flight information,” Thomas said.
“What scares me is that they have my flight information even when I don’t even know what time I’m flying out sometimes — I don’t tell anyone my flight information.”
Gauff stunned fans when she responded in the comments, revealing she had experienced the same ordeal.
Gauff’s reply: “This happens to me too, I don’t know how it happens. My theory is maybe someone at the airport tips them off.”
This alarming revelation raised concerns within the sports world, highlighting the lack of privacy and security even for top-tier athletes.
A Growing Issue for Female Athletes
Unfortunately, stalking and harassment have long been issues for professional athletes, especially female athletes who often face intense scrutiny and online abuse.
Gauff, despite being one of the highest-paid and most beloved female athletes in the world, has not been immune to such behavior. The 2024 WTA Finals champion has previously spoken out about social media trolls who target her with hateful comments. However, the real-world safety concerns at airports add an entirely new and terrifying layer to the issue.
For public figures like Gauff and Thomas, the idea of someone having access to their flight information—possibly leaked by airport insiders—is deeply unsettling.
Can Anything Be Done to Protect Athletes?
With Gauff now echoing Thomas’ experiences, the question arises: How can airports and sports organizations improve security for athletes?
🚨 Stronger Privacy Protections: Airlines and airports should review internal policies to prevent the leakage or unauthorized access to the flight details of high-profile individuals.
🚨 Increased Security Measures: Athletes may require enhanced security escorts while traveling, similar to the protocols used for politicians and other celebrities.
🚨 Legal Action Against Stalkers: Stalking is a serious criminal offense. Stricter measures and harsher penalties for those caught stalking athletes could help address this issue.
🚨 Athlete-Led Advocacy: With two world-class athletes speaking out, this could serve as a call to action for sports governing bodies to take proactive steps in combating stalking and harassment.
Gauff Focused on the Future, Despite Setbacks
Despite these off-court concerns, Gauff remains laser-focused on her career.
✅ She won the 2024 China Open
✅ She led Team USA to victory at the 2025 United Cup
✅ She captured the WTA Finals title in late 2024
Although she faced a setback at the Australian Open, losing in the quarterfinals to Paula Badosa, Gauff remains one of the top contenders on tour.
Her next tournament? The 2025 Qatar Open in Doha (February 9th)—where she will battle top rivals like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.
