Coco Gauff helps unveil refurbished tennis courts at Delray Beach’s Pompey Park

DELRAY BEACH — Less lanky and more bulky, Coco Gauff didn’t look like a kid anymore Tuesday at Pompey Park.

Ironically, Gauff felt like a kid again during festivities in which the USTA unveiled its refurbishment of her childhood courts in her honor as part of the U.S. Open Legacy Initiative.The USTA donated $3 million to a court program after Gauff won her first U.S. Open last September and copped the $3 million top prize.

Gauff is no longer a teenager, turning 20 on March 13th. She grew up blocks from the park courts that also has a swimming pool plus basketball and baseball facilities.Amid Delray Beach/USTA dignitaries and family members, Gauff said the park “has a special place in my heart’’ noting she played youth basketball here, went to pool parties, was an umpire at Little League games and even played “hide and seek.”

“But most famously I spent hours with my dad on these courts,’’ Gauff said in a four-minute speech.

Those hours not only paid off with a professional career but Gauff said she will be competing for the United States in the Summer Olympics in Paris, having qualified based on her ranking.