Coco Gauff, the young American tennis sensation, started the new year with a bang by taking the plunge from the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand.
Gauff will begin her 2023 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland. The 20-year-old hopes to build on what she achieved in 2022. Her most notable moment was reaching a maiden Grand Slam singles final at the French Open.
The American qualified for the WTA Finals and finished the year inside the Top 10 for the first time. She also enjoyed doubles success with Jessica Pegula, winning the Canadian Open and making the French Open final.
Gauff's achievements in 2022 led to her being nominated for the WTA Player of the Year. Unsurprisingly, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek secured the honor after dominating women's tennis last season.
The ASB Classic will give Gauff an opportunity to build momentum for the year's opening Grand Slam, the Australian Open. If she can regularly play her best tennis, she could be a threat in Melbourne.
Gauff is one of the most active players on social media and likes communicating with her fans. That was demonstrated when the American released a video of her jumping off the Sky Tower in Auckland.
The video of Gauff jumping can be watched below. At a height of 1,076 feet (328 meters), the Sky Tower is the tallest free-standing structure in Auckland and offers stunning views of the city below.
It looked like a thrilling experience for Gauff. Those who do the SkyJump plummet toward the ground at up to 50 mph, something many would find too daunting, but not Gauff.
The ASB Classic runs from January 2nd to January 8th. Gauff will start against the 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria, who has one of the most unique playing styles in the men's or women's game.