Coco Gauff funnily reveals she didn’t initially pay attention to Serena Williams when they first met because she didn’t believe that it was actually the American tennis icon but rather someone who resembled her.
Over the years, the 20-year-old has spoken numerous times about how much she used to idolize and look up to the Williams sisters. And interestingly, her first meeting with her idol came pretty unexpectedly – they both happened to be in the same place at the same time.
After realizing that the person she noticed was indeed Serena, Gauff felt ecstatic. Then she received some advice from the former 23-time Grand Slam champion.
“Serena was actually shooting a commercial at the same place I was practicing. I saw somebody walking, and I thought it was a stunt double of her or something. So I’m like: ‘That looks like Serena and she’s walking over here’. I kind of didn’t pay any attention to it, and then I realized it was her and I was so excited. She came over to just give me advice and speak to me,” the 2023 US Open champion said on Hair Me Out posted on the Refinery29 YouTube channel.
Throughout their careers, Serena and Venus were never afraid to proudly represent Black culture and experiment with different styles on the court. Now, Gauff is following in their footsteps.
“I look up to Serena, to her looks and her hair, and how she was never afraid to show her curls or her braids. For me, I want to be as diverse with my hair as I can be. I love to wear my curls… because you look good and you feel good. It almost makes you perform better,” the world No. 3 added.
Williams recently dropped a major praise on Gauff
As mentioned above, the 20-year-old has numerous times spoken very highly of Serena and showed major respect and appreciation for the former world No. 1. And in one of her recent interviews, the 43-year-old returned the favor and dropped a major compliment when asked about the current top-ranked American female tennis player.
“Coco has a massive tennis IQ. I think she really uses her brain out there. I think she can really rely on her serve. Obviously, her movement is great. And I just love her mental toughness and her mental fortitude,” Williams said.
1999 was the year when the American tennis legend became a Grand Slam champion at the US Open. 23 years later, that was the place where one of the greatest tennis careers came to an end.
A year after Williams’ retirement, Gauff lifted her first Grand Slam title in New York and became the first American teenager to win the US Open since her idol. During the trophy presentation, the 20-year-old mentioned Serena and Venus and noted that they were a big reason why she was standing there that day.
Coco Gauff© YouTube screenshot
Gauff recently paid another tribute to the Williams sisters
Even as a kid, the current eight-time WTA champion was aware that tennis wasn’t the most popular of sports among the Black population and that it was predominantly white. But after learning about Serena and Venus’ background – from where they came and what they achieved – the 2023 US Open winner was determined to follow in their footsteps.
“What makes me unique? I mean we’re all one of one, so we’re all unique. There’s never going to be another one of me and there’s never going to be another one of anybody. That’s a cool thing to think about… Finding myself was difficult. Being Black in tennis is, sometimes you do stick out like a sore thumb. Like in the Black community, tennis is not a huge thing. Nobody really knew anything about it. I had mentioned that I play tennis but nobody cared,” Gauff explained in a video for Baker Tilly US.
“But I feel like for me, having role models like Serena and Venus to look up to made a difference. Honestly, I just remember watching Venus at the US Open. My dad got second-row tickets and we were so close and that was a cool thing. That’s what pushes me to keep going. Just because the sport is predominantly white, you believe you can do that passion when you see somebody that looks like you being successful. Hopefully, I can be that belief for somebody else.”
Meanwhile, Gauff is currently in Riyadh, where she is preparing to kick off her third consecutive appearance at the WTA Finals. In her opening match in Saudi Arabia, she will take on fellow American and good friend Jessica Pegula.
Gauff’s group also includes Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova.