Tennis star **Coco Gauff** has extended heartfelt congratulations to **Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone**, who recently received the prestigious **Female Track Athlete of the Year** honor at the 2024 **World Athletics Awards** in Monaco. The recognition came after McLaughlin-Levrone’s stellar season, during which she clinched two gold medals at the **Paris Olympics**—one in the women’s **400m hurdles** and another in the **4x400m relay**. Her record-breaking performances have earned widespread admiration, and Gauff was quick to acknowledge the hurdler’s extraordinary achievements.
#### Celebrating McLaughlin-Levrone’s Achievement
Gauff, currently ranked **World No. 3** in tennis, shared her excitement on social media, resharing posts that highlighted McLaughlin-Levrone’s accomplishments. The tennis prodigy previously described McLaughlin-Levrone’s performances as “absolutely inspiring,” emphasizing the impact that athletes from different sports can have on one another. This cross-sport admiration underscores the mutual respect between elite athletes who understand the dedication and resilience required to excel at the highest level.
#### Gauff’s Personal Connection to Track and Field
Interestingly, Gauff’s admiration for McLaughlin-Levrone goes beyond mere appreciation—she has a personal history with track and field. Before committing to tennis, Gauff briefly explored a potential future in athletics. During a press conference at the **2024 Canadian Open**, she revealed that her mother, **Candi Gauff**, who competed as a track athlete at **Florida State University**, believed Coco could have excelled as a 400m sprinter.
“My mom ran track at Florida State, so she always said that the **400m** would have been my race if I pursued track,” Gauff shared. Her mother’s confidence in her athletic abilities wasn’t unfounded, given Coco’s natural speed and competitive spirit.
Adding to the narrative, Olympic gold medalist **Noah Lyles**, who shares a friendship with Gauff, also envisioned her as a hurdler. “Noah Lyles saw me as a **400m hurdler**, but I’m kind of scared of hurdles, so I don’t think I would have been great at that,” she admitted with a laugh. This lighthearted confession highlighted both her humility and the inherent challenges of transitioning between sports.
#### Could Gauff Have Been an Olympian?
Despite her early focus on tennis, Gauff remains confident that she could have made a mark in track and field had she pursued it seriously. Reflecting on her middle school years, she recalled dominating races with minimal training. “I strongly feel like if I had trained, I could have been an Olympian. In middle school, I didn’t go to a single track practice, but I won all my races except two, and those were against the same girl who was older than me,” she recounted.
This natural ability fuels her curiosity about what could have been. “Sometimes, I wonder what might have happened if I had chosen track. I even talked to my dad about entering some local track meets in the off-season, just for fun,” she said. The idea of testing her speed in an informal setting remains on her bucket list, a testament to her competitive nature and love for challenges.
#### The Reality Check: Why Gauff Chose Tennis
While Gauff’s musings about track are intriguing, she recently received a stark reminder of why she ultimately chose tennis. Just a month after expressing her interest in track, she attempted a rigorous sprint training session—and the experience was humbling. “I’m glad I didn’t choose track,” she admitted, recalling how the session left her lying on the ground, completely exhausted. This candid reflection underscores the physical demands of athletics and reinforces her respect for track stars like McLaughlin-Levrone.
Gauff’s experience highlights an important lesson: every sport comes with its unique challenges, and even the most gifted athletes face moments of vulnerability. Her decision to stick with tennis has clearly paid off, but her acknowledgment of track’s difficulty demonstrates her maturity and perspective.
#### Mutual Inspiration Across Sports
The connection between Gauff and McLaughlin-Levrone illustrates how athletes can inspire one another across different disciplines. Both young women have faced immense pressure and scrutiny, yet they continue to push boundaries and redefine excellence in their respective fields. Gauff’s public praise for McLaughlin-Levrone is more than just a social media gesture; it reflects a broader trend of women supporting women, especially in the world of sports.
This mutual respect also sheds light on the often-overlooked mental and emotional aspects of being an elite athlete. Gauff’s admiration for McLaughlin-Levrone isn’t solely about the medals or records; it’s about the resilience, discipline, and dedication that underpin those achievements. Both athletes have had to overcome significant challenges—be it injuries, intense competition, or the weight of expectations—to reach the pinnacle of their sports.
#### Looking Ahead
As Gauff continues to dominate the tennis world, her reflections on track and field serve as a reminder of her versatility and potential. Her openness about her past and her hypothetical “what if” scenarios humanize her, making her more relatable to fans. It also sparks curiosity about the possibilities of crossover athletes—could we see Gauff in a track meet one day? Perhaps not professionally, but the idea isn’t entirely off the table.
For now, Gauff’s focus remains on tennis, where she continues to chase her dreams and break barriers. But her story serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all sports and the shared journeys of athletes striving for greatness. Whether on the tennis court or the track, the spirit of competition and excellence remains the same, and athletes like Coco Gauff and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone continue to set the standard.