Coco Gauff Says She Encouraged Emma Raducanu to Take Social Media Breaks: Can Be 'Overwhelming'

Photo: KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Emma Raducanumight have the US Open title, butCoco Gauffstill has some advice for her fellow young tennis star. Ahead of their respective debuts at the BNP Paribas Open, Gauff, 17, told reporters that her best advice for Raducanu, 18, revolves around social media and time spent on her cellphone. “The best thing I could [say], and I’m sure she’s probably heard it, is to set time aside from the phone,” the tennis phenom said, according to theWTA.

Coco Gauff Says She Is Trying to Ignore Those Prodigy Labels: 'It'll Put Too Much Pressure on Me'

At just 15 years old,Cori “Coco” Gauffmade history when she became the youngest player to qualify for Wimbledon, and then again when she defeated five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in an impressive 2019 debut against the 39-year-old veteran player. Headlines across outlets, fromESPNtoThe New York Times,began calling the teen a tennis prodigy as she quickly became a household name — and evenreceived praise from former First Lady Michelle Obama. However, in her August cover story forTeen Vogue, Coco and her parents — Candi and Corey Gauff — reveal they aren’t fans of the label.

Coco Gauff Says She Likes Keeping 'Some Parts' of Her Personal Life to Herself (Exclusive)

Photo:Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images Coco Gauffis finding an advantage in keeping her personal life to herself. She added, “And I think that’s just the beauty of it all, that people still know me and know parts of me, but not everything. So I do feel like my life is a little bit in my hands too.” So while the tennis pro isprone to jumping off buildingsfor fun — and posting the proof on Instagram — she’s also one to take a step back and process it all too.

Coco Gauff Says She's 'Ecstatic' About Becoming Friends with Fellow Tennis Pro Venus Williams

Coco Gauffhas found a friend in tennis greatVenus Williams. However, she adds that she’s gotten particularly close to Venus. “Definitely on Instagram, [Venus is] always commenting on my stuff, and it’s pretty cool,” Gauff says. “She always mentions me on her lives or interviews, and I’m like, ‘This is crazy.’ Every time, I would say I’m pretty ecstatic when she does that because I don’t expect it at all.” Mike Hewitt/Getty

Coco Gauff Says She's 'Going to Never Forget' the Obamas Surprising Her After US Open Win

From left: Michelle Obama, Coco Gauff, and Barack Obama.Photo:Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty; Sarah Stier/Getty; Arturo Holmes/GettyCoco Gauff was not in the best mood after her first-round match at the US Open last night — that is, until the Obamas walked in the room.Gauff, 19, said she noticed members of the U.S. Secret Service around Arthur Ashe Stadium throughout the night and had been looking for Barack, 62, and Michelle Obama, 59, during her first-round win over Laura Siegemund.