Coco Gauff has quickly become one of the top stars in tennis, impressing fans with her amazing skills on the court and her maturity off it. Since her breakout performance at Wimbledon in 2019, where she defeated her idol, Venus Williams, Gauff has achieved many significant milestones, including winning her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 U.S. Open.
Although she hasn’t revealed who she is dating, she mentioned in her April cover story for TIME that they have been together for about a year. Gauff has also shared how her boyfriend supported her during the U.S. Open in September 2023. Here’s what we know about her mystery boyfriend.
Who is Coco Gauff’s Boyfriend
Coco Gauff is currently dating Jalen Sera, an aspiring actor and musician from Atlanta. Although Gauff has kept the details of her relationship private, she confirmed in a TIME interview that they have been together for about a year.
Who is Jalen Sera?
Jalen Sera is from Atlanta, the same city where Gauff grew up. Interestingly, Gauff’s mother, Candi, was his fourth-grade teacher, which adds a unique twist to their connection. Candi has praised Sera, saying he has always been a “smart, nice kid”
Gauff shared that they have been together for about a year and described this relationship as her “first real relationship.” This connection seems to bring her joy and stability amid the pressures of professional tennis.
Rumored or Past Relationships
Before dating Jalen, there were rumors linking Gauff to other young athletes, particularly fellow tennis players like Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton. However, these were largely speculative and unfounded. Fans often create narratives around athletes’ lives based on social media interactions or public appearances, but Coco has consistently emphasized that friendships are at the core of these connections.
He Calmed Her Nerves Before the U.S. Open
Before her big match at the 2023 U.S. Open, Coco Gauff shared how Jalen helped her relax. She revealed that they talked late into the night before the final, which calmed her nerves and allowed her to prepare mentally. Gauff said:
“Last night, I started a little bit, but honestly, I just called my boyfriend and I told him let’s talk until it’s time to go to sleep. So we spoke until 1:00 a.m. and then I went to sleep.”
This conversation helped her maintain focus and composure leading up to one of the most significant matches of her career.
He Wants to Be an Actor and Plays the Guitar
Jalen Sera is not only supportive of Coco’s tennis career but also has his own artistic ambitions. In an interview with Vogue, Gauff mentioned:
“He’s a very nice guy. He’s about to apply for music school… He wants to be an actor and he plays the guitar.”
This artistic side of Jalen complements Coco’s world and provides them with common ground beyond sports.
He’ll Probably Attend Her U.S. Tournaments
Coco has indicated that Jalen will likely attend some of her tournaments in the United States. In a June 2024 interview with People, she stated:
“My boyfriend, he’ll probably come to maybe some tournaments in the U.S. It’s just a little bit easier than coming to Europe.”
Fan Reactions to Their Relationship
As Gauff shared in her March Vogue interview, fans quickly took notice of her relationship. She mentioned:
“People on Twitter found him two or three days ago. I won’t respond and confirm if it’s him or not, but they caught me in the comments, so they know.”
The couple’s interactions on social media have also drawn attention. For instance, after Gauff’s impressive performance at the 2024 U.S. Open, Sera commented on her Instagram post with a playful remark:
“Electric.”
Gauff responded enthusiastically, saying:
“Powwww.”
Rumored or Past Relationships
Over the years, there have been numerous rumors regarding Gauff’s romantic interests, including speculation about fellow tennis players like Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton. However, these rumors have been largely unfounded as Gauff maintains that these individuals are just friends.
