A race at 4:30 a.m. m. It becomes a moving reunion: Coco Gauff’s surprise visit to the Dumplings store of his former coach melt hearts.
By Morning Moments – June 28, 2025

In a quiet corner of Atlanta, long before dawn, the tennis starCoco GauffHe ran in front of a small dumplings store with fogged windows and hot bread aroma permeating the cool morning air. What happened next has made the Internet cry.

Were4:30 a. m.When Gauff, preparing for the next United States open, deviated from his usual running route. Driven by nostalgia, or perhaps by instinct, stopped in front of a modest store illuminated by a single yellow bulb. Inside, behind the counter, it wasYour former childhood coach , Mr. Harrison Wu, now 73 years old, folding dumplings by hand.

Gauff had not seen him in more than a decade.

The man who had taught him his first serve, who believed in it when he was only six years old, had retired from training years ago. He had returned to his hometown to open a small family store of Dumplings – ”Wu’s Warm Bites” – that serves homemade and steamed buns to early morning and tired workers of the night shift.

Stunned but smiling, Gauff entered. “Wu coach?” He shouted.

He turned, narrowing his eyes, with floured hands. When he recognized it, his face lit up. “Coco?“, whisper.

An passerby recalled: “She simply ran behind the counter and hugged him as if he was still ten years old.”

When a client asked WU why he hadn’t retired yet, he laughed between teeth and said:

“As long as there are people who need hot bread in the morning, I will be here.”

Then came the time that made everyone cry.

Gauff was discreetly removed the sports jacket, exposing aPersonalized apronThat he had hidden under, embroidered with the words:«First student of coach Wu: eternally grateful».He placed himself behind the counter, picked up his hair and began to help him serve Dumplings to diners who arrived early.

Witnesses say Mr. Wu filled with tears and smiled with emotion while saying quietly:

“Thank you, Coco.”

At 6 in the morning, the photos of the emotional reunion had become viral. Gauff then published a selfi from the store with the following text:

He never asked for recognition. He was simply there, for me, for all of us. Today, I was there for him. #Agraded #coachwu #4amdumplings

The story has moved millions. In just a few hours, “Wu’s Warm Bites” caused a row to the corner. The locals have nicknamed her“The Dumplings store that was built from dreams.”

For Coco Gauff, it was just a morning race. For coach Wu, it was a key moment.
And for the rest of us, a reminder that even smaller gestures can transmit the deepest love.