Coco Gauff laughed her way through a post-match interview with buddy Chris Eubanks, proving elite tennis does not require a poker face off court.
The moment came after Gauff wrapped up a tidy opening-round victory at the Australian Open, and the exchange quickly became the kind of off-court clip that fans pass around with a smile.
Gauff’s Match And The Laughable Interview
“Don’t do this again, don’t do this again, you’ve done this before,”
Chris Eubanks
Gauff’s on-court work was clean and efficient as she beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena, an opening match that allowed a little levity afterward rather than drama.
The world number three and third seed now faces Olga Danilovic in round two, a match that will test Gauff against an opponent who already stunned Venus Williams in round one.
Why The Laugh Matters
The laugh was not just a headline grabber; it was a reminder that even top professionals can be humans who crack up in front of friends and cameras without losing focus on the task ahead.
After the moment, Eubanks posted the clip to Instagram with the caption, “Don’t you hate when your friends come to your job and don’t know how to act,” and Gauff replied in the comments, “I need to get used to this somehow.”
The duo’s chemistry has history. Eubanks once said about Gauff, “She’s like my little sister. I don’t have a younger sibling, so I take a lot of pride in being a big brother to her, and it’s really cool to see all the things she’s doing,” which explains the informal tone fans keep seeing.
Those friendly digs do not undermine professional analysis. Eubanks shifted quickly from banter to match breakdown, and his off-court familiarity seemed to make Gauff more candid, not less strategic, in her answers.
Performance, Numbers, And What Comes Next
Beyond the gags, there were milestones: Gauff collected what one report called her 75th Grand Slam singles win, and she remains a consistent presence in the late stages of majors at a young age.
At 21 years and 311 days, reporting noted she became the youngest woman to reach that Grand Slam win mark in nearly two decades, the first to do so since Maria Sharapova at the 2008 Australian Open.
On the tactical side, Eubanks coined the phrase “Coco Gauff points” while describing how she scraps and forces opponents into defensive positions with well-timed lobs and relentless pressure from the baseline.
Gauff answered that analysis with a measured take, saying it is part instinct and part pressure application, explaining that making a lob at the right moment can feel like a guaranteed point in certain rallies.
There are reassuring signs for Americans in the draw as well, with fellow U.S. players Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula and defending champion Madison Keys also advancing from their opening matches to ease some of the national expectation on Gauff.
Not every story had a happy ending; Venus Williams and Emma Navarro were among those to exit early, which underlines that Grand Slams still deliver shocks even before the marquee nights arrive.
For Gauff, the balance is clear: keep the tennis disciplined and allow a little personality off court. Fans get a laugh, opponents get the same gritty player they always do, and broadcasters get a clip to replay for years.
Next up is Danilovic, whose run included that upset over Williams, so the second-round match will be a proper test of whether Gauff’s blend of tactical clarity and resilient point construction can withstand an inspired opponent.
My Tennis Expert thinks this is the kind of scene the sport needs — elite performance with a human moment that does not become a distraction but rather a charming footnote to rigorous preparation and execution.
Join the conversation on Facebook.
Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
