“She never settled for less!” Coco Gauff cites Serena Williams’ importance in uplifting black women in a ‘predominantly white’ sport

“She never settled for less!” Coco Gauff cites Serena Williams’ importance in uplifting black women in a ‘predominantly white’ sport

Coco Gauff and Serena Williams

Serena Williams has been an icon for many players over the last few decades. Williams has struggled with injuries and close grand slam finals towards the end of her tennis career but her zeal and toughness is the standard for young players like Coco Gauff who didn’t shy away from praising the legend. This month, 23-time grand slam winner Serena Williams announced that she’ll be retiring from tennis after the conclusion of 2022 US Open. She holds the record for most US Open titles, tied with Chris Evert at 6 titles each.

In her vogue interview, the former World No. 1 said, “Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don’t think it’s fair. If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family.” Williams has always stood up for women rights, be it in sports or the society. She will start her US Open campaign on Tuesday, August 30, in her first round match against Danka Kovinic.

Also read: “One of the most important athletes in the history of the sport!” Rafael Nadal pays the ultimate tribute to Serena Williams ahead of her farewell tournament at the US Open

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I have seen her career my whole life: Coco Gauff on Serena Williams

Serena Williams
Serena Williams

World No. 12 in singles and No. 1 in doubles, Gauff opened up about how she was positively influenced to pursue tennis after watching Serena Williams. She said, “She won her first U.S. Open years before I was born. I have seen her career my whole life. But part of it I didn’t see. I missed a lot of it. Even at that point, it seemed super-long. I think it’s hard to dominate for generations.

“She showed that, but that’s why for me, like, she’s always going to be considered the G.O.A.T. She didn’t dominate one generation. She didn’t dominate for two generations. She dominated for three-plus generations,” said Gauff.

She further added, “I think really just the way she was able to transform a sport that’s predominantly white. So growing up I never thought that I was different because the No. 1 player in the world was somebody who looked like me. I think that’s the biggest thing that I can take from what I’ve learned from Serena.” The US Open will begin on August 29 and will run through September 11.

Also read: Pam Shriver elated to see Serena Williams draw “out of form” Danka Kovinic in the US Open 1st round

Also read: “Nobody can win every week, it’s impossible,” Barbara Schett opines on Iga Swiatek’s chances at the 2022 US Open