“Unless Someone Did Something So Disrespectful” – Coco Gauff Gets 100% Real About ‘Salty Handshakes’ & Showing Grace In Defeats

Nancy Singh Sun, August 30, 2026 at 6:59 AM UTC

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Coco Gauff © Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Coco Gauff recently shared her thoughts on “salty handshakes” and the importance of showing grace after a loss.

Gauff’s most recent outing came at the Cincinnati Open, where she won the title after defeating Jessica Pegula in the final on Sunday. She is now set to begin her U.S. Open campaign against Zeynep Sonmez on August 31.

She recently sat for her pre-tournament press conference on Friday, where she discussed sportsmanship and admitted that she is not a fan of players giving salty handshakes after matches.

“I definitely think it is important. For me, I’m not a fan of salty handshakes or things like that. If there is a salty handshake, it’s not because I initiated it. I’m always a person who, unless it’s never happened to me, but unless someone did something so disrespectful, then OK, maybe there will be one, but it’s never really happened to me on the court or off the court,” said Coco Gauff.

She added:

“I think it’s just important to show young kids to be gracious in defeat. Even if you’re not in sports, you’re gonna experience failure at some point in your life. You just have to know how to take it with your chin held up high, give that person their props, and try again next time.”

Ahead of the U.S. Open, Coco Gauff also appeared on Andy Roddick’s Served podcast on Saturday, where she discussed her Cincinnati Open title and rebuilding confidence in her serve.

Coco Gauff opened up about her US Open expectations

In the pre-tournament press conference, Coco Gauff also spoke about her mindset heading into the U.S. Open and made her feelings known about her current form. When a reporter referred to her as a “veteran,” the 22-year-old quickly pushed back on the label.

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“I mean veteran. I guess with my experience, yeah, with my age, probably not. But I think the experience the expectations aren’t high. I think you know US Open can be the one you feel the most pressure at just being an American wanting to succeed and do well. But I just realized, I mean, in hindsight, yes, I probably will be playing here 10 more years, but in the grand scheme of life, it’s not really that many opportunities you get to play here. So, I just try to enjoy each and every single time I’m out here,” said Gauff.

Gauff also admitted that she has become so focused on winning at the Grand Slam that she has not always been able to enjoy the experience. She said she would likely feel more relief than pride after winning a match at the U.S. Open.

During the press conference, Coco Gauff also backed her mother, Candi Gauff, after she urged family and friends on Instagram to stop asking for tickets to her matches.

Read more:

Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Stands With Coco Gauff & Her Mom As American Laments ‘Absurd’ US Open Ticket Demands

Coco Gauff Shares Sweet FaceTime Moment With Mom Candi, Dad Corey & Brothers Immediately After Cincinnati Title Win

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”