In a heartfelt press conference that took place just minutes ago, tennis sensation Coco Gauff left the sports world in utter disbelief as she revealed a bombshell announcement: she would be leaving the American tennis scene for an indefinite period. The 19-year-old, who had been a rising star in the sport, visibly teared up as she spoke about her decision to withdraw from the US Open, leaving fans and the media stunned.

Gauff, with her voice quivering, listed five main reasons for her unexpected departure, citing mounting pressure, personal struggles, and a need for self-reflection. The most poignant part of her speech came when she expressed:

“Thanks to the American fans, I will continue playing tennis with respect, but not here anymore.”

Her words echoed across the room, leaving the audience in silence. Many had expected Gauff to be a contender in the US Open, but now it seemed clear that her journey would take a different direction—one that may not involve representing her home country for the foreseeable future.

In an emotional moment, Coco’s mother, Candi Gauff, who was present at the conference, spoke candidly about the immense pressure her daughter has been under. She revealed that Coco had been struggling with the constant media attention and expectations, which she believes have taken a toll on her mental health.

“Coco’s spirit has always been strong, but even the strongest can break under this kind of pressure. She’s always loved the game, but it’s time for her to step back and find herself again. I don’t know if we’ll see her in a U.S. kit for a while,” Candi Gauff explained, her eyes brimming with emotion.

Her mother also shared that Coco had recently taken time off from training and had been focusing on personal growth, something that was difficult to reconcile with the demands of the tennis world. “She spent a lot of time reflecting. Recently, Coco started doing things she loves outside of tennis—things like painting and spending time with family. This is something she really needed.”

While it’s unclear what Coco’s next steps are, her fans and the world of tennis remain supportive, acknowledging the immense courage it took for the young athlete to make such a bold decision. Whether Coco will return to the tennis courts in the future or take a longer hiatus is still uncertain, but her mental health journey is now at the forefront of the conversation.

As Coco Gauff moves forward, one thing is clear: her future, whatever it may be, will be driven by respect for herself and her boundaries, and not by the expectations of others.