Coco Gauff Defends Mom's Statement on Rejecting US Open Ticket Requests, 'Honestly, It Was Needed'

American tennis star Coco Gauff supported her mother's decision to share a social media post pushing back against requests for guest tickets to the 2026 U.S. Open.

Gauff told reporters she was initially surprised by her mother's Instagram post but ultimately understood her reasoning.

"Honestly, it was needed, and it was directed toward a few family and friends," Gauff said Friday.

"To be honest, yeah, people come out of the woodwork. You haven't spoken to someone for years, they don't say 'Congrats' or 'Happy birthday' or nothing, and then they're like, 'Oh, I'm in New York, can I have eight tickets to your match in your box please?'"

Candi Gauff posted what she called a "blunt, but necessary statement" in the caption to an Aug. 27 post featuring Gauff holding the Cincinnati Open trophy.

"Unfortunately, I will not be able to hook you up with a ticket. Please make arrangements to purchase a ticket," Gauff's mother wrote. "Side note, never ask for more than 2 tickets."

Gauff said Friday she feels the U.S. Open and Wimbledon are the two tournaments during which her parents field the most requests for guest tickets.

Gauff, who climbed to No. 4 in the WTA rankings after her win in Cincinnati, is seeded fourth in this year's women's singles tournament.

She is currently preparing for a first-round matchup with Zeynep Sönmez, the world No. 52 who upset Ekaterina Alexandrova in the first round of the 2026 Australian Open. Gauff and Sönmez will face off at Arthur Ashe Stadium this Sunday.