Coco Gauff recently shared a funny and memorable story about meeting her idol, Serena Williams, for the very first time. The young American tennis star, who has long admired both Serena and Venus Williams, opened up about the experience in a video with *Refinery29*, admitting that she initially thought Serena was a stunt double. Gauff, now 20 and the World No. 3, looked back on that moment with humor and awe, reflecting on the impact the Williams sisters have had on her career and personal journey in the sport.
“Serena was actually shooting a commercial at the same place I was practicing,” Gauff recounted, smiling at the memory. She described how, as she was training, she spotted someone walking nearby who bore an uncanny resemblance to the 23-time Grand Slam champion. “I saw somebody walking, and I thought it was a stunt double or something,” Gauff laughed. “So I’m like, ‘That looks like Serena, and she’s walking over here.’ I kind of didn’t pay any attention to it.” But then, Gauff realized it was indeed the real Serena Williams, and her excitement was instantaneous. “She came over to just give me advice and speak to me,” Gauff added, her admiration evident.
The 2023 US Open champion also reflected on how Serena’s confidence, both on and off the court, has influenced her. For Gauff, Serena’s style and self-expression, especially through her looks and hairstyles, have been deeply inspiring. “I look up to Serena, to her looks and her hair, and how she was never afraid to show her curls or her braids,” Gauff shared. She noted that watching Serena embrace her natural hair and unique style over the years has encouraged her to do the same. “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.”
This sentiment is more than just about looks for Gauff; it’s about confidence and self-expression. Serena’s bold style has empowered her to embrace her individuality on the court, and she hopes to inspire other young athletes in the same way. Gauff’s own growing list of accomplishments, including her recent US Open win, shows how her idol’s influence has shaped her game and fueled her competitive spirit.
Now, Gauff is setting her sights on the WTA Finals, which are being held in Riyadh this year. She is making her third appearance at this prestigious year-end championship, a tournament that Serena Williams dominated throughout her career, winning the title an impressive five times. Gauff aims to build on her previous performances, hoping to surpass last year’s run to the semifinals. Her path to the title, however, is far from easy, as she faces an extremely challenging group in the round-robin stage.
In Riyadh, Gauff will go head-to-head with some of the best players in the world. Her group includes World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, the defending champion and one of Gauff’s toughest opponents, as well as her good friend and doubles partner Jessica Pegula, currently seeded sixth. Also in the mix is Barbora Krejcikova, the Wimbledon champion known for her tactical skill and finesse. This lineup promises intense and high-stakes matches, with each opponent bringing unique challenges.
For Gauff, advancing past the group stage will likely require winning at least two out of these three matches. However, it will be a tall order, given her past record against these top players. Collectively, Gauff holds a daunting 2-16 record against Swiatek, Pegula, and Krejcikova. Swiatek, in particular, has posed a consistent challenge for Gauff, as the Polish star’s powerful baseline game and defensive skills have often stymied her.
Despite these challenges, Gauff enters the WTA Finals on a high note after a stellar season that saw her achieve major milestones and clinch key victories. She secured her place in the Finals by winning titles in Auckland and Beijing, displaying a newfound consistency and maturity in her game. Additionally, she reached the semifinals at both the Australian Open and the French Open, solidifying her reputation as a serious Grand Slam contender. These achievements are a testament to her growth and resilience, especially after a difficult 2022 season where she faced both physical setbacks and tough losses.
Much of Gauff’s success this year can be attributed to her evolving game strategy and an improved mental approach. She’s shown greater patience and tactical versatility, traits she’s honed through intense matches against top players and, no doubt, through the influence of her coaches and mentors. Gauff’s recent victories have demonstrated her ability to adapt to different playing styles, a critical skill in the high-stakes, unpredictable world of professional tennis. This adaptability will be crucial as she faces the tough competition at the Finals, where each opponent is sure to test her in new ways.
Off the court, Gauff continues to inspire a new generation of fans, and her story resonates beyond her achievements in tennis. Her connection to Serena and Venus Williams underscores the legacy of Black women in the sport and the path they have paved for future generations. Gauff’s rise to the top echoes Serena’s own journey, filled with determination, resilience, and the courage to defy expectations. As Gauff embarks on her WTA Finals campaign, she carries the aspirations of young athletes worldwide who look up to her as a role model, just as she once looked up to Serena.
As the tennis world watches Gauff take on some of her toughest opponents yet in Riyadh, it’s clear that her admiration for Serena and Venus Williams goes far beyond fandom. It’s an inspiration that drives her every day, both in practice and in competition, as she forges her own path to greatness. Whether or not she clinches the title at the WTA Finals, Gauff has already made her mark on the sport—and, like Serena before her, she’s just getting started.