Coco Gauff, the rising star of tennis, celebrated her 20th birthday in style on Wednesday by reaching the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open and indulging in a delightful cake on live television.
After her emphatic 6-0, 6-2 victory over 24th seed Elise Mertens, Gauff was presented with her first 20th birthday cake during an interview with Tennis Channel. In a moment of pure joy, she surprised the hosts and viewers by taking a massive bite out of the cake, much to their delight.
“There we go! THAT’S HOW YOU CELEBRATE!” exclaimed Prakash Amritraj, while Steve Weissman chimed in with a resounding “Yessssssss!”
Gauff’s celebratory cake-eating moment became an instant viral sensation, showcasing her infectious personality and love for life. She later revealed that she had been eagerly anticipating the cake all day.
“I’ve been waiting for that all day,” she said with a laugh.
Gauff’s victory at Indian Wells marks her second consecutive appearance in the quarterfinals of the prestigious tournament. She is now seeking her second WTA 1000 singles title, having triumphed at the Cincinnati Open last August.
The world No. 3 will face a tough challenge in the semifinals, where she is likely to encounter either Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1, or Jessica Pegula, the world No. 3. However, Gauff has proven time and again that she is a force to be reckoned with, and she will be determined to continue her winning streak and make history at Indian Wells.
