“I’m more than a tennis player,” Coco Gauff reveals her impact beyond the court after being chosen to be Team USA’s female flagbearer

Coco Gauff has partnered with Jessica Pegula in the doubles of the Paris Olympics.

“I’m more than a tennis player,” Coco Gauff reveals her impact beyond the court after being chosen to be Team USA’s female flagbearer

Coco Gauff (via Imago)

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Reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff knows that her impact is beyond the tennis court. The American was chosen to be Team USA’s female flagbearer in the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, making her the first tennis player to hold the country’s flag at such an event.

The 20-year-old first announced herself to the sports world at the 2019 Wimbledon beating five-time champion Venus Williams in the first round. The then 15-year-old teenage qualifier went on to reach the fourth round in one of tennis’ greatest events. Last year, she captured her first Grand Slam beating Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open.

Now regarded as one of the established youngsters in sport, she has continued to consolidate her performance on the court. In January, she won her seventh title at the Auckland Open and has reached four semifinals this year. However, coming into the Paris Olympics she disappointingly lost to Emma Navarro in the fourth round of Wimbledon.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Via Imago)

As Team USA’s flagbearer, Gauff admits she is more than just a tennis player, impacting the world through her heritage and personality.

Tennis and trophies mean a lot to me, but the impact that you leave on people means more. I just want to know that I left my print on this world in some way, shape or form, outside of just the things that I do on the tennis court.
Coco Gauff said via Olympics.com

Gauff is handed a fair draw playing Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round of the women’s singles. Alongside her partner Jessica Pegula, she will play Daria Saville and Ellen Perez in the opening round of the doubles.

At the end of the day, I'm more than a tennis person: I'm a daughter. I'm a friend. I'm a black woman; U.S. citizen. I'm all of these things before I'm a tennis player. So I think if I can affect the world in some type of way… hopefully I try to do it in a positive way. It would mean a lot more.
Coco Gauff added

Coco Gauff aiming to enjoy the Olympics experience despite the pressure that goes with playing in the event

Coco Gauff was supposed to have her first experience of the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, but she tested positive for the COVID-19 virus on the eve of the opening ceremony. The American has patiently waited for three years to get an opportunity at the event and has admitted she wants to enjoy the experience.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Via Imago)

The 20-year-old understands the pressure that comes with playing in the Olympics, as her country’s hopes rest on her shoulders. However, she’s not placing much pressure on herself ahead of her first match.

I’m not putting too much pressure on myself because I really want to enjoy the experience as much as possible. It will be interesting how it all feels to play such a big tournament with the Olympics, to walk in the opening ceremonies, to arrive, I guess on a boat, and then to have to play the next day.
Coco Gauff said via WTA.

Gauff has a 21-5 record at the Roland Garros and reached the semifinals in June. She will be hoping her clay form continues at the Paris Olympics, to win a medal for the USA.

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