Coco Gauff Pays Tribute to Serena Williams, Gives the GOAT Credit For Her Rise During the US Open

Count Coco Gauff one of many young tennis players who have gratitude for everything Serena Williams has done for the sport. And with the US Open marking the last time we’ll see Williams play in a competitive tournament, Gauff reflected on the impact she’s had on her life.

While marveling at the career Williams has had, Gauff spoke on everything she’s learned from “The Queen” herself since bursting onto the scene.

Gauff especially looks up to Serena, being as she’s also trying to navigate through a sport dominated by predominantly white women.

“That’s something that as a little girl — and even now — meant a lot to me,” Gauff said during US Open media day. “Especially, like, growing up, before I was born, there wasn’t many. Before Serena came along, there was not really an icon of the sport that looked like me.

“So growing up, I never thought that I was different because the No. 1 player in the world was somebody who looked like me,” she added. “I think that’s the biggest thing that I can take from what I’ve learned from Serena.”

Coco Gauff has been a fan-favorite in the United States since her run at Wimbledon as an 18 year old girl. After making the Quarterfinals that year, Gauff has set her standards a little bit higher, hoping to take that next step in her development.

Gauff made sure she was in the stands for Serena Williams’ first round win at the US Open.

“It’s just the way that she handles herself — she never puts herself down,” Gauff said. “I love that she always elevates herself. Sometimes being a woman, a Black woman in the world, you settle for less. I feel like Serena taught me that, from watching her, she never settled for less. I can’t remember a moment in her career or life that she settled for less.

“I think that’s something I took from her,” she added. “As a person, I’m growing into being an adult and learning how to handle things now with the media and tennis and everything, I’m trying to learn to not settle for less.”

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