MusaCoco Gauff has built a reputation as one of tennis’s most focused and disciplined young stars, but even the world’s top athletes can find themselves distracted by unusual obsessions. Recently, the 20-year-old American revealed that she made a surprising decision to delete the X app — formerly known as Twitter — from her phone, all because of a quirky fixation that was consuming too much of her time.
Speaking to reporters ahead of her Cincinnati Open matches, Gauff explained that the decision wasn’t about avoiding negative comments or cutting down on social media entirely, but rather about breaking free from a specific rabbit hole she found herself falling into.
“I just couldn’t stop scrolling through cooking videos,” she admitted with a laugh. “It started as a fun way to relax, but then I’d realize I’d been on there for hours watching recipes I wasn’t even going to make. It was getting ridiculous.”
The world No. 3 said the obsession began earlier this season when she stumbled upon a thread of creative dessert ideas. From there, her algorithm began feeding her an endless stream of food-related content, and she quickly became hooked.
“I’d be watching at 2 a.m. thinking, ‘I should really be sleeping right now,’” Gauff joked. “It wasn’t helping my recovery or my focus, so I just decided the easiest thing to do was to remove the temptation.”
While some fans might be surprised that a small habit like this could influence her professional routine, Gauff pointed out that tennis at the highest level is all about fine margins. Eliminating even minor distractions can make a difference.
“On tour, you have to manage your time well — it’s not just about training and matches, but also rest and mental clarity,” she explained. “If something is pulling your attention away too often, even if it’s harmless, it’s better to take control of it.”
Interestingly, Gauff admitted she still occasionally checks her account from her laptop to interact with fans or share updates, but she keeps the app off her phone to avoid slipping back into old habits.
The move has already paid off. “I feel like I have more free time now, and I’ve been sleeping earlier,” she said. “Plus, I can actually focus on making the recipes instead of just watching them.”
Her lighthearted confession sparked plenty of fan reactions online, with many praising her self-awareness and discipline. Some even shared their own struggles with oddly specific internet obsessions — from cat videos to historical trivia threads.
For Gauff, the decision reflects a broader philosophy she’s bringing into this year’s hard-court swing: cutting out unnecessary distractions so she can fully focus on her tennis. And with the US Open fast approaching, she’s determined to keep her mind — and her timeline — as clear as possible.
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