DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Delray Beach tennis star Coco Gauff took to one of tennis' biggest stages — the 2022 French Open — and her family was supporting her from home.
"For Coco, it'll be a dream come true for the family," Gauff's uncle, Eddie Odom III, said. "It's like we can see hard working. We can see the finish line."
The 18-year-old, playing in her first Grand Slam final, lost to top-ranked Iga Swiatek from Poland.
"Coco, we love you. We love you regardless. We (are) here for you and we're going to be here waiting, win or lose," aunt Shenay Lowe said. "Oh, it's so exciting. It's so exciting because, regardless of what happens, she's already a winner."
Gauff and her parents were overseas in Paris, while family and friends held a watch party at home at the Delray Beach Market.
"She's worked very hard for all of her life and this moment was going to come," grandmother Yvonne Odom said. "So, either she wins today ... or she's going to win a slam in the future."
While the 18-year-old didn't win the 2022 French Open, her family said the real victory is within.
"It's very important for her and our family for her to stay humble and remember where she comes from because at the end of the day, family is all that matters," Lowe said.
Gauff is a third-generation Delray Beach native with strong family values.
"Delray is so supportive of Coco, I cannot tell you," Odom said. "Because my husband and I are lifelong residents. Her parents grew up here in the youth program, so Delray has always been behind her."
Even some of the youngest members of the family admired her on the screen.
"Little girls looking up to her, even little boys looking up to her, she has a great situation that she's in to be an advocate for not just tennis events, but world events," Lowe said.
Family said they'll celebrate with Gauff the same way as if she would have won — together as a family.
"I cannot describe how proud we do feel, but Coco said it, win or lose, we're going to love her anyway," Odom said.
Her next shot at a Grand Slam title will be at Wimbledon later this month.
