Coco Gauff recently shared a humorous anecdote about her first encounter with the legendary Serena Williams, revealing that she initially didn’t believe it was actually the tennis icon she was seeing. Instead, the young star thought it might be someone who simply resembled her. This lighthearted moment not only highlights Gauff’s journey but also showcases the profound impact the Williams sisters have had on her life and career.
The 20-year-old Gauff has long been open about how much she idolized the Williams sisters during her childhood. Their influence on her, both on and off the court, has been substantial, shaping her aspirations and style as a player. The chance meeting with Serena came about in an unexpected manner when both players found themselves at the same location, but it was an encounter that Gauff would not soon forget.
“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,” Gauff recounted during an interview on the Hair Me Out segment posted on the Refinery29 YouTube channel. This realization was a thrilling moment for Gauff, who got the opportunity to speak with the tennis great and receive some invaluable advice.
Gauff went on to discuss how Serena’s fearless expression of her identity, particularly regarding her hairstyles, has inspired her own journey as a player. “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,” she said. This admiration for Serena’s authenticity reflects Gauff’s desire to represent herself fully in a sport that has historically lacked diversity.
The admiration between the two tennis stars is mutual. In a recent interview, the 43-year-old Williams praised Gauff, recognizing her impressive mental acuity on the court. “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 commented. This endorsement from one of the sport’s greatest champions is a testament to Gauff’s talent and potential.
Reflecting on their legacies, it is noteworthy that 1999 marked the year when Serena Williams first became a Grand Slam champion at the US Open. Fast forward 23 years, and Gauff, having made a name for herself in the sport, won her first Grand Slam title at the same venue. During the trophy presentation, she paid tribute to the Williams sisters, acknowledging their pivotal role in her journey. “They were a big reason why I was standing there that day,” she stated, clearly understanding the weight of their influence.
Gauff has also made it clear that she recognizes the challenges of being a Black athlete in a predominantly white sport. As a child, she was aware of the lack of representation in tennis, and it was the achievements of Serena and Venus that motivated her to pursue the game. “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,” she explained in a video for Baker Tilly US.
Gauff’s reflections reveal the struggles she faced in a sport that hasn’t always embraced diversity. “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,” she recalled. However, the impact of her role models cannot be understated. “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,” she shared, emphasizing how visibility and success can inspire others.
As Gauff prepares for her third consecutive appearance at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where she will face fellow American and friend Jessica Pegula in her opening match, she continues to carry the torch lit by Serena and Venus. Gauff’s group also includes formidable opponents like Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova, indicating that she is ready to take on the best in the sport.
In summary, Coco Gauff’s journey is one of admiration, inspiration, and breaking barriers. Her humorous first meeting with Serena Williams, coupled with their mutual respect, underscores the strong bond and legacy shared by these remarkable athletes. As Gauff continues to evolve her game and carve out her own identity in tennis, she remains a symbol of hope and inspiration for many young athletes, particularly in the Black community. With each match, she honors the legacy of the Williams sisters while paving her own path to success.