Coco Gauff believes ‘God’ put her through difficult trials for her to be able to enjoy the US Open triumph as she follows ‘Jehovah’s Witness’ Serena Williams’ footsteps

Coco Gauff is making sure to follow her idol's path in every aspect.

Coco Gauff believes ‘God’ put her through difficult trials for her to be able to enjoy the US Open triumph as she follows ‘Jehovah’s Witness’ Serena Williams’ footsteps

Coco Gauff (L); Serena Williams(R) (Via: US Open Tennis Championships/YouTube/CNBC)

Coco Gauff believes that ‘God’ put her through all the tough trials in order for her to win her maiden Grand Slam title. Her faith is yet another commonality she shares with her idol, Serena Williams. The former tennis player got baptized as a ‘Jehovah’s Witness’ in January. One more similarity the Americans share is that Gauff is the youngest player to win the US Open since Williams in 1999.

When asked in the post-match interview what it means to win her maiden Slam on her home soil, she had a theological response to this. “I realized that God puts you through trials and tribulations. This makes this moment even sweeter than I could ever imagine, ” she said. The home hero explained that God put her through a lot of difficult times. But she held on to her faith when she said that he only did this to make her triumph even sweeter.

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Gauff also said that she was still in shock when it came to her winning her maiden Grand Slam. The American talked about the heartbreak that came with her campaign at the French Open 2022. The Roland Garros final in 2022 was the closest she ever came to winning a Grand Slam before this. However, she was defeated by then World No.1 Iga Swiatek in straight sets.

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Referring to her consistent prayers before matches, she said, “I don’t pray for results. I just ask that I get the strength to give it my all. Whatever happens happens.” She also acknowledged that she was blessed in this life for being able to accomplish what she wanted to. People have always taken to the similarities between Coco Gauff and Serena Williams. The fact that they both have very strong faiths serves as another common point between the two.

related: WATCH: Coco Gauff breaks down in tears as she hugs her parents after winning US Open 2023

Coco Gauff becomes the youngest US Open champion since Serena Williams

Coco Gauff and Serena Williams with their trophies 1
Coco Gauff and Serena Williams with their trophies (Image via AP)

Gauff has always been vocal about her adoration and admiration for Serena Williams. Feeding into this, the fans have always looked for ways to find points of similarities between these two players.

With both players being from similar backgrounds and similar career trajectories, it has not been very hard to compare them. Following in Williams’ footsteps, the teen has now become the youngest player to win the US Open since her idol in 1999. She is now the third American teen to achieve this feat after Tracy Austin and Serena.

With her victory against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, Gauff has realized her dream of clinching her maiden Grand Slam. The fact that it was on her home soil was just a cherry on top. The teen was reduced to tears in her interview when asked how surreal it was at the moment. Gauff admitted that it was also the first time she saw tears in her dad’s eyes. It was indeed a special day for the American teen.

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