Coco Gauff Talks ‘Finding a Balance’ with Boyfriend and Family amid Busy Tennis Sched

“It doesn’t feel like I’m missing things because it’s always been my reality,” the reigning U.S. Open champ tells PEOPLE of balancing her tennis priorities

The tennis star, who’s the defending U.S. Open singles champion, opened up to PEOPLE about how she prioritizes family and friends as a pro athlete who travels around the world for tournaments.

“It’s just finding a balance,” Gauff, 20, tells PEOPLE two weeks out from Wimbledon, the prestigious Grand Slam she famously defeated her role model, Venus Williams, in the first round of in 2019 at age 15. “I also think because I started so young that it just feels like my reality,” she explains. “It doesn’t feel like I’m missing things because it’s always been my reality.”

“There are times, yes, I do feel homesick and feel overwhelmed,” she says. “But I am thankful that my parents are able to travel with me a lot, so they help a lot.”

In addition to her mom and dad, Gauff says her pals will cheer her on at matches, too. “Every now and then, some of my friends will be able to pop in for a couple of days before a tournament or something,” she shares.

While Gauff says her friends will be joining her in London to support her at Wimbledon — a moment the star player says she’s “really excited about” — she mentions her boyfriend will likely be in the stands at U.S.-based events.

“My boyfriend, he’ll probably come to maybe some tournaments in the U.S. It’s just a little bit easier than coming to Europe,” Gauff tells PEOPLE of her partner who she’s been dating for over a year, but has kept his identity private.

Gauff’s boyfriend has supported her at major tournaments in the past, like the 2023 U.S. Open, but it’s unlikely he’ll be joining her in France for the Summer Olympics. “I think just right now my mom and dad because it’s in Paris… it’s far away from home,” the player says.

The first-year Olympian, meanwhile, previously qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, but had to withdraw from the Games after testing positive for COVID-19. Now, Gauff says she’s “really looking forward” to competing this year.