Serena Williams has just shocked her fans and beyond after announcing her imminent retirement. Coco Gauff has always stated that Serena and Venus Williams have always inspired her and they are the reason why she plays tennis. During the press conference that followed her victorious match against fellow American Madison Brengle, Coco Gauff talked about the huge impact that Serena Williams had on her career and life in general.
Coco stressed that Serena gave her the proof that a black woman could succeed in a predominantly white sport.
Coco commented:
“I grew up watching her. I mean that’s the reason why I play tennis. Tennis being a predominantly white sport, it definitely helped a lot. Because I saw somebody who looked like me dominating the game. It made me believe that I could dominate too.”
Coco Gauff speaking today in Toronto on the positive impact that Serena Williams has had on young black athletes such as herself as well as the impact that her father Richard Williams has had on the Gauff family too. #NBO22 pic.twitter.com/OnqmWovXmI
— Mike McIntyre (@McIntyreTennis) August 9, 2022
Gauff in Toronto, ranking, and results in 2022
Ranked no.11 (career-high), Gauff owns a composed 28-14 win-loss record in 2022. Cori is competing in Toronto where she conquered the world no.64 Madison Brengle 6-1 6-3.
Cori Gauff will compete against the world no.27 Elena Rybakina in the 2nd round. They have never played each other up to now on the main tour.
Gauff was the finalist at the French Open.
Serena Williams in Toronto, ranking, and results in 2022
At the moment ranked no.276, Serena Williams achieved a compiled 1-1 record in 2022. The American is playing at the moment in Toronto where she ousted the world no.57 Nuria Parrizas-Diaz 6-3 6-4.
Serena won 73 titles in her career: 43 on hard courts, 13 on clay courts, 7 on indoor courts, 2 on carpet courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)
Cori Gauff and Serena Williams have never faced off.