Is it love, a low-key meetup, or just a suspiciously timed smoothie run? Whatever it was, Coco Gauff just set the rumor mill ablaze after she was spotted leaving a luxury hotel at 1:37 AM — not alone, but with a mystery man who definitely wasn’t her hitting partner.
The grainy paparazzi photos — because of course there are paparazzi now that Coco is full A-list — show her in a black hoodie, leggings, and slides, trying her best to go incognito. But fans immediately clocked her signature curls and that unmistakable post-match glow. Right beside her? A tall, athletic-looking guy in joggers and a beanie, holding what looked like Coco’s overnight bag. Subtle? Not even close.
Twitter (X) went full sleuth mode within seconds:
-
“Okay but that is 100% a handoff move — couples only.”
-
“Is that the same guy from her courtside pics last week???”
-
“1:37 AM, Coco. You better be sneaking in extra cardio 🫢”
The mystery man has yet to be officially identified, but fans are connecting dots faster than a doubles team. Some believe he’s a college basketball player from Miami, based on a blurred tattoo visible in one of the zoomed-in shots. Others swear he’s “just a close friend,” but when has a “close friend” ever carried an overnight bag like that?
And then, just to keep the suspense going, Coco posted a very casual photo the next morning — an iced coffee, a sunshine emoji, and a caption that read:
“Recharge day 🌤️🧃”
Ma’am. That is textbook soft launch behavior.
Naturally, Coco’s fanbase is divided. Some are thrilled, cheering her on for finding a little romance amidst the grind of pro tennis. Others are panicking like she missed match point at the US Open.
But perhaps the best comment came from a fan who wrote:
“If Coco’s dating, let her! Just don’t let it mess with the backhand.”
Preach.
Meanwhile, her team has remained tight-lipped, issuing zero statements, which only makes the entire thing feel more suspiciously real. And Coco? Cool as ever, showing up to practice the next day with her game face firmly in place—and just a hint of a smirk.
