Coco Gauff Invites Heated Rivalry Stars to Australian Open

Coco Gauff, the American tennis player seeded third at the Australian Open, invited actors Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams from the HBO Max series Heated Rivalry to the event in Melbourne. She made the comments during her media day press conference on Friday, ahead of her first-round match. Gauff said she is their biggest fan after posting a positive review of the show on social media.

Background

Heated Rivalry is a new series on HBO Max that tells a story of romance between two hockey players. It focuses on their lives on and off the ice, with queer themes at the center. The show stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams in the lead roles. It has gained attention for its mix of sports action and personal drama. Fans have shared clips and discussions online, helping it build a following.

Coco Gauff has a busy year on the tennis tour. At 21 years old, she stands 175 cm tall and plays right-handed. She has reached the semifinals at the Australian Open before, her best result here in 2024. Last year, she made the quarterfinals. This year, she starts against Kamilla Rakhimova on Sunday. Gauff has won 11 singles titles and 10 doubles titles in her career. Her total earnings top $30 million.

Gauff often connects with fans and other stars outside tennis. She has appeared with athletes from baseball and actors from TV shows. Her media day in Melbourne included surprises from New York Mets player Francisco Lindor and actress Storm Reid. Lindor crashed her press conference wearing her signature shoes from New Balance. He gave her a Mets jersey after. Reid watched her practice and called her skills mesmerizing.

Tennis players like Gauff use social media to share interests. She posted about Heated Rivalry recently, which led to questions at her press conference. The Australian Open draws top players and fans from around the world each January. Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena hosts key matches. Gauff has played six times at the event.

Key Details

During the press conference, reporters asked Gauff about the series. She explained how she first heard about it from online talk. Gauff said she watched it and enjoyed the story. She called it a heated rivalry, matching the show's title.

“I’m their number one fan, I think.” – Coco Gauff

Gauff repeated her fandom after her social media post. She invited Storrie and Williams to come watch her play. The actors have not yet responded publicly to the invite. Heated Rivalry mixes tough hockey games with relationship tension between the two main characters. Storrie and Williams bring energy to their roles as rivals who grow close.

Press Conference Moments

The media day started with routine questions about her game plan. Gauff talked about past Australian Open runs and her goals. She finds the event different from other Grand Slams because of the crowd and schedule. Reporters then shifted to her TV tastes. Gauff laughed as she described discovering the show. She said people online kept mentioning it, so she checked it out.

Her practice session drew attention too. Storm Reid surprised her from the umpire's chair. The two hugged, and Reid stayed to watch. Francisco Lindor joined later, joking about being her doubles partner. These moments show Gauff's appeal beyond tennis. She faces Rakhimova first, then possible tough matches ahead.

Gauff's year-to-date record stands at 3-1. She earned over $500,000 already. Her doubles play has varied at Slams. She reached the fifth round here in 2023. Gauff balances singles and doubles but picks events carefully.

What This Means

Gauff's shoutout puts Heated Rivalry in the spotlight. The series gets free promotion from a top athlete with millions of followers. Storrie and Williams could attend, boosting their profiles. It links sports and entertainment worlds. Tennis stars often back shows or movies, drawing new fans to both.

For Gauff, it shows her down-to-earth side. She connects with pop culture amid Grand Slam pressure. Fans see her as relatable, which helps her brand. New Balance ties her to other athletes like Lindor. These crossovers build her image as a star who enjoys life off court.

The Australian Open continues with Gauff's match Sunday. A deep run could lead to semifinals again. Her fandom might inspire other players to share interests. Heated Rivalry gains tennis crowd interest. If the actors show up, it creates a fun story line. Gauff keeps focus on tennis while enjoying the buzz.

Media days set the tone for tournaments. Gauff's event mixed tennis talk with light moments. It keeps players engaged with fans. Her career stats show steady growth. From junior wins to Grand Slam titles, she builds a legacy. This invite adds a personal touch to her Open prep.

Hockey and tennis differ, but rivalry themes connect them. Heated Rivalry captures competition and bonds. Gauff sees parallels in her matches. Her support encourages queer stories in sports media. The series fills a gap for romance in team sports.

Gauff's Melbourne stay includes practice and press. She adapts to night sessions and crowds. Past semis give her confidence. Inviting the actors shows excitement despite pressure. The Open tests top players over two weeks.