“Our woke queen” – Fans left in splits as Coco Gauff reveals the name of her ‘non-binary’ soft toy in hilarious interaction ahead of Wimbledon
Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old world No. 2 and 2025 French Open champion, sent fans into a frenzy with a lighthearted moment during a Wimbledon 2025 pre-tournament interview on June 29, 2025, when she revealed the name of her beloved soft toy, a stuffed animal she jokingly called “non-binary.” In a playful exchange with the BBC, Gauff shared that her childhood teddy bear, named “Alex,” accompanies her to tournaments and has become a lucky charm. When asked about its gender, she laughed, “Alex is non-binary, you know, we don’t assign labels,” prompting roars of laughter from the press and a viral reaction online. Fans on X dubbed her “our woke queen,” with @TennisVibes posting, “Coco Gauff naming her teddy bear non-binary is peak Gen Z chaos 😂 #WokeQueen,” as reported by *Sportskeeda* on June 30, 2025.
The moment came during a relaxed discussion about Gauff’s off-court rituals, where she admitted to traveling with Alex, a gift from her parents when she was six, to every major tournament, including her 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open victories. “Alex just vibes with me,” Gauff said, per *The Independent*. “It’s been with me through every Grand Slam, every big moment.” Her tongue-in-cheek “non-binary” quip was a nod to her Gen Z humor, playing into her knack for connecting with younger fans through social media. The comment sparked a mix of amusement and polarized reactions, with @GauffFanClub tweeting, “Coco’s out here breaking barriers with a teddy bear 😂 #Wimbledon2025,” while others, like @TennisPurist, grumbled, “Can we just focus on tennis?”
Gauff’s candid humor aligns with her reputation for embracing her authentic self, as seen in her response to criticism after her French Open win over Aryna Sabalenka, where she addressed hate with, “I’m just staying true to myself,” per *EssentiallySports*. The “woke queen” moniker, while tongue-in-cheek, reflects her willingness to engage with social issues, from racial justice to mental health, which has earned her both praise and scrutiny. Her lighthearted Alex reveal added levity to her Wimbledon preparations, where she faces Dayana Yastremska in the first round on June 30, 2025, aiming to surpass her previous fourth-round best at the All England Club.[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/wta-tennis-news-its-all-i-know-coco-gauff-confronts-the-noise-of-hate-as-wimbledon-two-thousand-twenty-five-kicks-off-2/)
The viral moment, amplified by Wimbledon’s own X post showing Gauff clutching Alex during practice, underscores her ability to blend charm with competitive fire. As she navigates a tough draw with potential clashes against Iga Swiatek or Elena Rybakina, per *SI.com*, Gauff’s “non-binary” teddy bear quip has fans buzzing, proving she’s as much a cultural force as a tennis superstar, ready to conquer Wimbledon’s grass courts with Alex by her side.
