Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, has expressed admiration for Coco Gauff but stated she won’t offer her direct advice or mentorship, citing their competitive history as the reason. Speaking at the French Open 2025, where Gauff, the world No. 2, advanced past Olivia Gadecki in the first round, Williams noted, “I was always playing against them, so I never had a chance to really give them advice,” referring to Gauff and Madison Keys. Gauff defeated Williams in their only two singles matches—at Wimbledon 2019 (6-4, 6-4) and the Australian Open 2020 (7-6(5), 6-3)—when Gauff was just 15. Williams emphasized that both players “know what they are doing,” suggesting their success, including Gauff’s 2023 US Open title and Keys’ 2025 Australian Open win, reduces the need for her guidance.
Context of Williams’ Stance
Williams, now 44 and serving as a TNT Sports commentator at the French Open, has long praised Gauff, calling her “fantastic for the sport” and rooting for her. However, her reluctance to mentor stems from their past as opponents, including Gauff’s upset of Williams at Wimbledon, a “storybook” moment for the then-15-year-old. Williams also highlighted Gauff’s tendency to be “too hard on herself,” echoing Tim Henman’s mental health concerns. Despite their competitive history, they teamed up for doubles at the 2021 French Open, losing in the first round, with Gauff calling it an “honor.” Williams’ advice during that partnership—encouraging Gauff to express emotions after breaking a racket—remains her most notable guidance.
Gauff, now 21, idolized Venus and Serena Williams growing up, crediting their legacy for her success as a Black woman in tennis. A childhood photo of Gauff watching Venus at the 2012 US Open resurfaced, with Gauff noting it as proof “dreams are closer than you think.” Despite Williams’ stance, Gauff has thrived, reaching the 2022 French Open final and winning the 2024 WTA Finals. Posts on X reflect understanding of Williams’ position.
Parallels to Other Sports Narratives
Williams’ decision mirrors professional boundaries in high-stakes sports. Like Daniil Medvedev’s reluctance to over-engage after losses, or Luke Littler’s focus on performance over theatrics in darts, Williams prioritizes her role as a competitor and commentator. Alex de Minaur’s apology for an emotional outburst at the French Open, and Ons Jabeur’s scheduling advocacy, highlight the pressures Gauff faces, which Williams acknowledges but leaves to Gauff’s own team to address. Gauff’s maturity, seen in her humanitarian goals inspired by the Williams sisters, suggests she’s forging her path without direct mentorship.
Conclusion
Venus Williams won’t mentor Coco Gauff due to their history as competitors, having lost to her in 2019 and 2020, and believes Gauff, a 2023 US Open champion, is self-sufficient. While Williams admires Gauff, praising her impact and noting her self-criticism, she maintains a professional distance, as seen in their 2021 French Open doubles partnership. Gauff’s reverence for Venus, from childhood fandom to crediting her legacy, underscores their bond, but Williams’ stance, like Medvedev’s or Littler’s focus, reflects competitive realities, with X fans seeing it as logical.
