Coco Gauff has spoken about how inspired she was by Serena Williams and Venus Williams. The 20-year-old recently told a hilarious story about not recognizing Serena when meeting her for the first time.
Gauff is an inspiration and a role model to millions worldwide because of her outstanding abilities on the court. She secured the US Open last year, won a second WTA 1000 title at the China Open a few weeks ago, and reached No. 2 in the world earlier in the season.
The American's popularity was demonstrated by SportsPro ranking Gauff as the most marketable tennis player in the world, ahead of huge names like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Naomi Osaka.
However, Gauff also inspires as a black player in a predominantly white sport. She admits that Venus and Serena's examples helped her cope with sticking out like a sore thumb as an emerging player.
Gauff played Venus in the opening round of Wimbledon in 2019 as a 15-year-old. She stunned her idol at the tournament Venus won five times and went on to reach the fourth round, causing headlines worldwide.
Serena and Gauff never played. The current world No. 3 admitted last year that her only regret was not getting to play the 23-time Grand Slam champion before she retired after the 2022 US Open.
Gauff's respect for the Williams sisters makes it unsurprising that she remembers meeting Serena for the first time. How this year's China Open champion reacted to seeing the 42-year-old was hilarious.
In a video with Refinery29, Gauff recalled that Serena was filming a commercial at the same location where she was practicing, but the 20-year-old initially mistook the tennis legend for a stunt double.
"Serena was actually shooting a commercial at the same place I was practising. I saw somebody walking, and I thought it was a stunt double of her or something."
"So I’m like: ‘That looks like Serena and she’s walking over here’. I kind of didn’t pay any attention to it, and then I realised it was her and I was so excited. She came over to just give me advice and speak to me."
Not realizing who Serena was is undoubtedly not how Gauff would have envisaged meeting one of her idols, but it only makes the story even more notable. Serena giving advice and treating the younger American well afterward is something Gauff will remember forever.
Gauff revealed in the same video that Serena's influence did not stop with her technical abilities. She also liked that the seven-time Wimbledon champion was never afraid to show her curls and braids, something Gauff emulates.
"I look up to Serena, to her looks and her hair, and how she was never afraid to show her curls or her braids. 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."
Gauff has a long career ahead and could become as iconic a figure as Serena and Venus is if she keeps improving and working hard.