Coco Gauff’s Winning Secrets: Oura Ring, US Open Chase & Love Island
Coco Gauff: Finding Balance, Sleep, and Fun On and Off the Court
Introduction: A Happier Headspace
Imagine playing the biggest tournament of the year while trying to completely change how you serve. That’s exactly what Coco Gauff—a two-time Grand Slam singles champion—did at last year’s US Open. She calls it "a very stressful tournament" and admits she "didn’t really get to enjoy it that much."
Fast forward to today, and things look different. Over a Zoom call, the 22-year-old star says:
"This time around, I feel more comfortable in my game. So I’m hoping that I can have more fun."
In a sports world obsessed with optimization—squeezing every tiny advantage out of data—Gauff is taking a relaxed, grounded approach. That mindset made her a perfect match for Oura, the smart ring brand focused on wellness. She’s now an official ambassador alongside fellow American tennis pro Taylor Fritz.
The Oura Ring Partnership: A Natural Fit
- Gauff started using an Oura Ring a year before the partnership was even discussed.
- She jokes she might have "manifested" the deal—because she lost her ring right when talks began!
- Now she wears the newer, sleeker Oura Ring 5 (she doesn’t wear it during matches… yet).
Important Point
The Oura Ring is a tiny wearable that tracks sleep, heart rate, temperature, and activity—like a fitness tracker, but on your finger.
Gauff loves it because it helps her understand her body without obsessing over numbers.
How Coco Uses Her Oura Ring: Sleep First, Scores Second
Gauff mainly checks two things:
- REM sleep (the dream stage, important for memory and mood)
- Deep sleep (the repair stage, crucial for physical recovery)
Her Simple Sleep Philosophy
- She aims for consistency—roughly the same hours each night.
- She doesn’t chase a “perfect score.”
- She listens to how she feels instead of the app’s rating.
Important Point
"You can get a little crazy trying to make your score go up," Gauff says.
During tournaments, the schedule often doesn’t allow extra rest—so she focuses on balance, not perfection.
Training Smarter, Not Just Harder
When she was younger, Gauff believed more training = better results. Now? She’s learned to listen to her body.
Her New Mindset in 3 Steps
- Check the data – “Numbers don’t lie.”
- Respect the signals – If her body says rest, she rests.
- Reject the “grind harder” myth – Rest isn’t lazy; it’s essential for both physical and mental health.
Important Point
Rest is a performance tool, not a reward. Gauff treats recovery as part of her job—just like practice.
Life Outside Tennis: Movies, Escape Rooms & Love Island
When she’s not crushing forehands, Gauff is a total pop-culture fan.
Recent Faves
- The Odyssey – loved it
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day – calls it Tom Holland’s best performance yet
Guilty Pleasure
- Love Island USA – she voted for Brinity to win (same as the rest of us!)
Brain Games with Family
- Spent the day before the Canadian Open at an Escape Room (haunted mummy theme).
- Picked an easy version because she was with family.
- Reaction to extreme escape rooms (with actors touching you)?
"I’m not that intense… but honestly, it does intrigue my interest."
She might even post it if she tries one!
Summary
| Topic | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| Mindset | Fun > pressure. Comfort in her game = better performance. |
| Oura Ring | Tracks sleep (REM & deep), but she doesn’t obsess over scores. |
| Sleep | Consistency > perfection. Balance matters more during tournaments. |
| Training | Rest is productive. Data helps her avoid overtraining. |
| Hobbies | Movies, reality TV, escape rooms—she’s just like us! |
FAQ
1. Does Coco Gauff wear her Oura Ring during matches?
No, not currently. She says she’s thought about it, but for now, she uses it off-court for sleep tracking.
2. What does the Oura Ring actually measure?
It tracks sleep stages (REM, deep, light), heart rate, body temperature, and activity levels—all from your finger.
3. Why did she partner with Oura?
She was already a genuine user for a year. The brand’s focus on wellness over obsession matched her new relaxed approach.
4. How does she balance rest during a busy tournament schedule?
She accepts she can’t always catch up on sleep, so she focuses on quality over quantity and listens to how she feels.
5. What does she do for fun when not playing tennis?
She watches movies (Spider-Man, The Odyssey), follows Love Island USA, and does escape rooms with her family.
Final Thought:
Coco Gauff is proving that you don’t have to burn out to be great. By prioritizing sleep, listening to her body, and making space for joy—she’s playing and living better.