Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz React As Their Hilarious In-Flight Incident Goes Viral Amid United Cup Run
Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz are used to cameras following their every move on court, but this time, a lighthearted in-flight moment gave fans a rare off-court glimpse of Team USA’s chemistry during its United Cup title defense. As the Americans surged into the semifinals in Sydney, a short video of Fritz drifting in and out of sleep on the team flight quickly caught fire online, prompting playful reactions from both stars.
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Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz Provide a Rare Off-Court Glimpse During Team USA Flight
Team USA began its United Cup 2026 campaign in Group A in Perth, drawn alongside Spain and Argentina. The Americans entered the tournament as defending champions, led by Gauff and Fritz, with Christian Harrison anchoring the mixed-doubles pairing.
It was during travel between matches that the now-famous moment occurred. In the airplane cabin, Fritz was filmed dozing off in his seat, head bobbing as he drifted in and out of sleep while watching something on his phone. Dressed casually in a beanie, black T-shirt, and shorts, the ATP star appeared completely unaware that he had become the center of attention.
Gauff, seated beside him, tried to keep a straight face before breaking into silent laughter. The original video was shared by fellow American Mackenzie McDonald, who was sitting just behind them and could be heard laughing along.
The clip later made its way onto Tennis Channel’s Instagram page, where Fritz jokingly commented, “Can’t even sleep in peace anymore,” while Gauff added, “3 hours of this 😂.”
Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff’s comments on Instagram
How Did Team USA Survive Multiple Deciders on the Road to the Semifinals?
In their opening tie against Argentina, the United States was forced to battle from level terms. Fritz was edged out by Sebastián Báez in the men’s singles, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. Gauff responded in the women’s singles with a straight-sets win over Solana Sierra, 6-1, 6-1, to level the tie at 1-1. The decisive mixed doubles saw Gauff and Harrison hold their nerve, winning in straight sets against María Lourdes Carlé and Guido Andreozzi to secure a 2–1 victory for Team USA.
The Americans followed that with another tight encounter against Spain. Gauff suffered a setback in the women’s singles, losing to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in three sets. Fritz then brought the tie back on level footing with a three-set win over Jaume Munar, 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(6).
MORE: Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz Turn Perth Beach Into a Tennis Classroom Ahead of United Cup Title Defense
For the second straight tie, the outcome rested on mixed doubles, where Gauff and Harrison again delivered, winning against Yvonne Cavallé Reimers and Íñigo Cervantes in straight sets to clinch another 2-1 result and confirm the United States as Group A winners.
In the quarterfinals, Team USA faced Greece and once again needed all three matches to advance. Gauff put the Americans ahead with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Maria Sakkari in the women’s singles. Fritz was then beaten by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the men’s singles, 6-4, 7-5, sending the tie to mixed doubles. Under pressure, Gauff and Harrison prevailed in a tense contest, winning 4-6, 6-4, and then edging the match tiebreak 10-8 to seal a 2-1 quarterfinal win.
Currently, Team USA has advanced to the semifinals of the United Cup, where they will face Group F leaders Poland. The tie will open with Fritz facing Hubert Hurkacz in the men’s singles before Gauff takes on Iga Świątek in the women’s matchup. If needed, the contest will be decided in doubles, with Gauff and Harrison set to play against the Polish pairing of Świątek and Hurkacz.
