American tennis ace Coco Gauff once playfully teased her fans in 2023 with an IG story, saying, “I bet you can’t guess who my favorite hero is,” while flaunting her ‘Spider-Man’ goodies. But let’s be real! Coco’s love for the web-slinging superhero is no secret! From declaring “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” the greatest animated film of all time to showcasing her deep love for the Marvel universe through her latest AO kit, Coco’s admiration for Spidey shines through in every way. And just recently, the fandom went wild again when her former doubles partner, Caty McNally, hilariously mimicked one of the third seed’s signature gym gestures. Of course, Coco couldn’t resist acknowledging the playful tribute, sending fans into a frenzy! But what’s the actual story behind this viral moment?
Remember this year’s AO when Coco Gauff squared off against Sofia Kenin in the first round? While her on-court brilliance was on full display, it was her off-court antics that stole the spotlight for the American! In a video shared by the official Australian Open TikTok account, Gauff was spotted in the gym, seamlessly blending her training routine with her ‘Spidey’ obsession.
Channeling her inner web-slinger, Coco struck an iconic “Spider-Man” pose mid-workout, leaving her trainer in stitches. The clip, captioned “This universe’s Spider-Man” and tagged with Gauff’s handle, perfectly captured her fun-loving spirit, proving that even during intense prep, she never misses a chance to embrace her superhero passion! Subsequently, an associate demonstrated a similar movement at the gym, earning recognition from the original performer.
Caty McNally recently took to her IG story to share a playful nod to Coco Gauff’s signature move, captioning it, “@cocogauff influenced me .” In the snapshot, the tennis star struck the exact same “Spider-Man-inspired” pose that Coco famously pulled off during the AO. Wasting no time, the former US champion re-shared the image on her own IG story, humorously writing, “Spider stretch going worldwide.” But let’s be real, that move isn’t for the faint-hearted! Tough to pull off in the gym, isn’t it?
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 5, 2024 Coco Gauff of the U.S. celebrates after winning her third round match against Britain’s Sonay Kartal REUTERS/Matthew Childs
The 9-time singles winner’s love for Spider-Man is no secret. But back in 2023, during a ‘Vogue’ interview with Corey Seymour, Coco gave fans an even deeper look into her Spidey-inspired training routine. When asked about any unconventional training at the gym, she added, “There’s also a stretch that my physio makes me do that you go upside down on some band things and it looks like you’re Spider-Man. At first I thought it was just a me thing, but then I saw other players doing it, so I felt better about it, but I just look hilariously stupid doing it,” True to her words, it looks like her unique approach is catching on, because now, even fellow pros like Caty McNally are embracing the Spider-Stretch! And what about Caty McNally?
Well, Coco Gauff, the 2024 Roland Garros doubles champion alongside Kateřina Siniaková, first made her mark in doubles with Caty McNally. Their partnership, “McCoco”, began as juniors, winning the 2018 US Open girls’ doubles title. They later claimed WTA titles at the 2019 ‘Washington’ and ‘Luxembourg Opens’ and the 2021 ‘Emilia Romagna’ Open, also reaching the US Open final that year. Their journey ended in 2022, though, as Gauff teamed up with Jessica Pegula. Despite the split, McCoco’s legacy remains a fan favorite, showcasing the early brilliance of two rising stars in women’s tennis.
Returning to the present, despite the viral nature of her recent gym video, her aspirations for the Miami Open remain evident. Gauff has openly addressed her current form, which seems to be in something of a tailspin of late.
“It’s been difficult,” Coco Gauff opens up against critics before her Miami Open opening match
Coco Gauff’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster till now. Despite kicking off the year with a United Cup victory, she has struggled to maintain the momentum from her WTA Finals triumph from last year. Her campaign has been plagued by early exits, including three consecutive losses: to Paula Badosa in the Australian Open quarterfinals, Marta Kostyuk in Qatar, and McCartney Kessler in Dubai. At Indian Wells, she also showed flashes of brilliance but was stopped in the R16 by Abu Dhabi champion Belinda Bencic. While challenges persist, Gauff remains determined to turn things around soon.
Speaking to the pre-tournament press conference at Miami, Gauff added, “I will say that it is tough, sometimes, when everyone is (saying), ‘Oh, (lost) two matches in a row,’ and things like that,” she said on Monday. “Because if I wasn’t a top-five player it wouldn’t, probably, be a conversation. That comes with being at the top. You’re expected to win. And I expect myself to win, as well.”
Coco, with a 6-5 Miami Open record, faces Sofia Kenin in a tied 2-2 rivalry. With home-court advantage by her side, can Coco replicate her success from the final stage of last season? Share your thoughts below!
The post Coco Gauff’s Special Spider-Man Training Goes Viral as Ex-Teammate Hilariously Recreates Her Iconic Stretches appeared first on EssentiallySports.