“She’s Why I Play Tennis,” Coco Gauff Sends Huge Shoutout to Serena Williams as She Recounts the WTA Legend’s Inspiration
“She’s Why I Play Tennis” – Coco Gauff Pays Tribute to Serena Williams, Her Lifelong Inspiration
“Definitely Serena Williams. I look up to her. She’s why I play tennis, and she’s awesome.” — Coco Gauff, during a candid Q&A with Los Gonzalez de Tour.
It’s no secret that Coco Gauff idolizes Venus and Serena Williams. Her admiration for the sisters began at the age of six, when she watched Serena dominate the Australian Open. Curious about the term “GOAT,” Gauff asked her father what it meant—and from that moment, her journey toward greatness began.
Her parents, inspired by the story of Richard Williams, left their jobs to fully support Coco’s budding tennis career. Their dedication paid off when, at 19, Gauff became the first American teenager since Serena in 1999 to win the US Open. At the trophy ceremony, she made it clear: “They’re the reason why I have this trophy today.”
Now at 21 and ranked world No. 4, Coco is still the same fan who picked up a racket because of Serena.
A Fan First, Always
In a recent interview with Los Gonzalez de Tour, Gauff was asked a mix of lighthearted questions—from her hair to her favorite movies. But when it came to naming her favorite athlete, she didn’t hesitate.
“Definitely Serena Williams. I look up to her. She’s why I play tennis.”
Serena’s impact goes far beyond numbers. Yes, she boasts 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 73 WTA singles trophies—the most Grand Slams in the Open Era. But for Gauff, it’s about representation and resilience.
“Before Serena came along, there wasn’t really an icon in tennis who looked like me. So growing up, I never felt different—because the No. 1 player in the world looked like me,” Gauff once reflected.
Serena’s powerful presence inspired generations of athletes, including Gauff, who admires her competitive spirit more than anything else.
“She never gives up on the court. I’ve never seen that kind of fight in anyone else,” she once said.
Channeling Her Inner Serena
As the 2025 clay season gets underway, Gauff is gearing up for a new challenge. Despite her junior French Open title and a runner-up finish in 2022, she’s admitted clay isn’t her easiest surface.
“We work more on legs and glutes for clay because of all the sliding and awkward movements. It’s all about injury prevention and getting used to the surface gradually,” she explained during the 2024 Miami Open.
Still, she’s optimistic and driven. Serena remains her North Star—not just in terms of tennis ability, but in the attitude she brings to each match.
When asked about her toughest opponents, Gauff was quick to reiterate Serena’s name—even though the two never played a professional match.
“The greatest competitor I’ve ever seen? Serena Williams, hands down.”
Among current rivals, Gauff highlighted Aryna Sabalenka—whom she famously defeated at the 2024 WTA Finals—before clinching the title against Qinwen Zheng.
A Unique Legacy in the Making
Despite a bumpy start to 2025 following a solid United Cup performance, Gauff is locked in on her clay goals. With Stuttgart kicking off her campaign, she’s aiming to reclaim the form she showed when she lifted the Emilia-Romagna Open in 2021 and set her sights on Roland Garros.
Can she channel her inner Serena and triumph on the red clay?
What’s Your Take?
Is Coco Gauff the next Serena Williams—or is she building a legacy all her own?
Let us know and join the debat
