Superstitions and sports are no strangers to each other. For ages, there have been many players following some rituals that they believe to be a positive charm in their performances. Take the example of Rafael Nadal in tennis. One of the sport’s best players followed some bizarre rituals during his matches. One of them was placing bottles in the exact same position. Another such player who shed light on superstitious beliefs recently is Coco Gauff.

The American sensation is currently playing at the French Open, where she has reached the fourth round. During an interview after her third-round victory over Dayana Yastremska, she was asked about her family’s presence during her matches. While answering this question, she opened up about a bizarre tradition followed by her father.

Gauff revealed, “They’re kind of swapping a bit. Usually grand slams they’re both here. Most of the clay season it was just my mom and my dad was with my brothers. Sometimes it’s just my dad and sometimes it’s just me. It’s nice to have them around. Especially with the 2-week format in the 1000s.”

Further, she went on to add, “It’s long. It’s nice to have someone to spend your day off with. I’m lucky my brothers are understanding and supportive. My parents have been with me my whole life. I’m very thankful to them. My dad is somewhere around here. He doesn’t sit in the box.” 

Gauff’s father also followed this superstition at last year’s US Open, which his daughter won. Thus, he would like history to repeat itself at the ongoing French Open and hopes his daughter prevails in Paris. Meanwhile, this is not the only pre-match routine followed by Gauff.

Coco Gauff talks about her pre-match diet

During an interview last year, the reigning US Open champion gave a glimpse of her superstitious self. Like many tennis players, Gauff revealed that she also had a superstition, but it was related to the pre-match routine and not during the matches.

She went on to explain, “I do love mushrooms in pasta, I just don’t eat them pre-match. They make my stomach kind of hurt a little bit, but also, I don’t know if it’s just in my head too sometimes. I’m usually not superstitious — just with that.”

However, Gauff’s physicality on the court is second to none, and the pre-match diet seems to be working in her favor. She often makes her opponents sweat with powerful returns, giving them a run for their money. This has a lot to do with the strict diet that she follows and has done well to adhere to.

Gauff, one of the favorites to win the French Open, will next take on Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy. Can the American sensation clinch her maiden French Open title this year? Let us know your views in the comments below.