Coco Gauff's Parents Knew She Was a Flagbearer for the Olympic Opening Ceremony Before She Did! (2024)

When Coco Gauff learned just days before the 2024 Paris Olympics that she’d be serving as the opening ceremony flagbearer for Team USA, the tennis star was shocked — but it wasn't a surprise to everyone.

The tennis star, 20, revealed to PEOPLE during a press conference in Paris that her mom Candi and dad Corey actually knew about her prestigious gig before she did.

"They knew the news before me, which, I thought I was gonna surprise them on the phone, and [my mom] was like, 'Yeah, I already knew,'" Gauff said. "So I was like, 'Yeah, that's great.' But I'm glad that they'll be able to come and be here. I know they're excited."

Though Gauff was given the exciting news on July 24, her family was actually clued in earlier by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, because in order to attend the opening ceremony, they had to give their names to security by July 23.

“I was very emotional when I was talking to my mom about it,” Gauff said at the press conference of learning she’d be one of two flagbearers for Team USA. “I wanted to cry when I found out, but my whole team was there, so I went in the corner and did it. I truly am shocked, and I don't take it for granted, and I am going to try and take it all in, and I know this will be a memory I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Gauff will take on her duties alongside basketball star LeBron James during the Parade of Nations on Friday, July 26, where she will be the first U.S. tennis player and youngest American flagbearer in Olympic history.

“I have no idea what we’re supposed to do,” she said with a laugh at the press conference. “They only thing I know is the jacket and I only know that because they showed it to me. I have no clue. I wish I knew!... But I’m sure they’re going to set me up tomorrow at least, and I’m excited to be on the Seine.”

The star also joked that she was “a little concerned about the height difference” between her and James, 38, as his 6-foot-9 frame is a full foot taller than her own.

"Is my arm going to be up here while he's holding it? I don't know. I thought it was two separate flags when I was looking at a picture. They hold it together, so I don't really know," Gauff added.

Fellow tennis player Chris Eubanks, a close friend of Gauff's who had nominated her for the flagbearer role, did the honor of sharing the exciting news with the star on July 24. Her shocked reaction was shared to Instagram in a sweet video posted by Team USA.

“I’ve got to see this girl grow up, so I’m sure she’s very excited to be here at her first Olympics. It’s a pretty special moment. Your year last year was incredible. You obviously, you captured the world by storm. You captured your first Grand Slam. I think you showcased to the world, in the U.S. and abroad, how special of a person and tennis player you are. And I think because you are so special, you have the honor of wearing this jacket during the opening ceremony and being a flagbearer with LeBron James,” Eubanks told his shocked pal as he presented her with a white jacket, which the flagbearers wear instead of the traditional navy.

In response, Gauff said she “was not expecting that.”

“Thank you. That’s really cool,” she added. “Oh, wow. Okay!”

One day after the opening ceremony, Gauff will return to the clay courts of Roland-Garros for her first Olympic match against Ajla Tomljanović of Australia on Saturday, July 27.

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