"Wish players could choose their walkout song" – Coco Gauff picks tennis tradition she would like control over, names song that best represents her

Coco Gauff is currently contesting the Indian Wells 2023. On Friday (March 10), the 18-year-old American defeated Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in straight sets 6-2, 6-4 in the Round of 64 to advance to the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament.

During the post-match press conference, Coco Gauff was asked about an existing rule or tradition on the tour that she wishes to change, if given the opportunity. The teenager recalled an idea she had previously put forth, where tennis players would be allowed to have the music of their choice played while walking out on the court ahead of their match.

“I guess one thing, I actually said this yesterday, I said I wish players could choose their walkout song when they walk on the court. I think that would be a cool little thing to add,” Coco Gauff said “Yeah, that would be the one thing I would change for tennis.”

The World No. 6 further revealed the list of songs that would represent her well on the court.

“Today I was listening to "Love Me" by Lil Wayne and Drake. I don't know if that's the most appropriate song, so I wouldn't choose that,” she said. “I would say probably ‘Icon’ by Jaden Smith or ‘Grinding All My Life’ by Nipsey Hussle. Yeah, I'd say probably one of those two songs.”

She settled on the song by the late Nipsey Hussle as the perfect tribute to the Californian rapper at Indian Wells.

“Probably since we're in California, probably some Nipsey Hussle,” she concluded.

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"My dad used to always say, you can't really complain" – Coco Gauff on playing through the noise at Indian Wells

Coco Gauff, who has often been called "the young veteran," having started her tennis career at the young age of 14, was asked if she was able to acclimatize to the noisy crowd at Indian Wells. The American teenager affirmed that she is generally comfortable playing in front of loud spectators.

“I'm pretty comfortable. I'm not really one to complain with noise unless it's something quite obvious. But, yeah, you know, there was a baby crying and I could hear people from, I don't know if it was Nobu or the concessions, like a lot of chatter going on, but it didn't bother me at all,” she said.

She credited the adaptation skills to her father’s philosophy and her childhood circumstances, when she had to play tennis with other sports being played in the background.

“I think that just, growing up, I used to play tennis at a park right next to a baseball field, they would have cheer practice, basketball practice. There was a lot going on,” she revealed. “My dad used to always say, you can't really complain. I just never complain.”

Coco Gauff is through to the third round of Indian Wells for the third straight year. She is now scheduled to face Czech Republic’s Linda Noskova for a spot in the final 16 of the tournament.