Wimbledon 2025 is off to a sizzling start—and not just because of the on-court heat. Coco Gauff, the American tennis sensation and reigning US Open champion, has found herself at the center of unexpected drama, and no—it has nothing to do with a wardrobe malfunction or a questionable line call. This time, it’s all about her name.
According to reports coming out of SW19, Gauff registered for the tournament under a slightly altered version of her name—listing herself officially as Cori Dionne Gauff, her full birth name. But here’s the catch: she’s known globally as “Coco Gauff,” and the deviation reportedly led to logistical hiccups and a few raised eyebrows among organizers, broadcasters, and even opponents.
Some fans were quick to speculate online: was this an intentional switch for branding purposes? A clerical error? Or maybe a statement about reclaiming her personal identity apart from the media-crafted image of “Coco”? One thing’s for sure—it didn’t go unnoticed. The tournament’s internal IT systems reportedly flagged the entry, causing a brief moment of confusion for match schedulers and commentators who initially thought a last-minute wildcard had snuck into the draw.
Even her name on the player’s locker was initially labeled “Cori Gauff,” prompting amused responses from fellow players. “I thought we had a new girl on tour,” one competitor joked.
Of course, Gauff took it all in stride. In a quick post-practice interview, she laughed it off: “Yeah, I guess I confused a few people. But Coco and Cori are both me—I just wanted to mix it up. Maybe keep everyone on their toes!”
But not everyone was laughing. A few media outlets accused the move of being a publicity stunt, while some traditionalist tennis fans clutched their pearls over the potential disruption to the “sacred” Wimbledon order. Still, others praised the move as a subtle power play by a player increasingly aware of her brand and agency.
Whether it was a mix-up or a message, one thing is clear—Coco (or Cori) is still laser-focused on the court. She breezed through her first-round match, silencing any doubts about whether the name game had rattled her.
At the end of the day, she can be Coco, Cori, or Queen Gauff—so long as she keeps crushing opponents and charming crowds, Wimbledon will keep calling her a contender.