The rapid rise to prominence of Coco Gauff in the tennis world has captured the attention of fans everywhere. Her extraordinary skill reveals a story of strength and determination that has been shaped by her grandmother’s persistent desire to mentor her throughout life. She said that her grandmother, Yvonne Odom, was essential in helping her develop and foster the qualities of perseverance and hard work during a toast to her 2024 TIME Women of the Year award.
After the awarding of her first Time Magazine award, the 19-year-old tennis star made a passionate speech that drew on the lessons she had learned from the women in her life. Many of her admirers and those who view her as a role model in the tennis community found relevance in her comments.
Gauff has never shied away from talking about how her grandma shaped the way she saw the world. The famous tennis player has said that her grandmother was the first African American student to enroll in and successfully integrate Delray Beach School in Florida. As a result, Gauff made sure to highlight the positive impacts of her grandmother’s influence throughout her life when she accepted the esteemed Time Magazine award.
Gauff said during her toast: “My grandmother, Yvonne, who was the first black woman to integrate the Delray Beach School system, has encouraged me to use my platform for positive change and to never underestimate the impact of my voice.”
Gauff further added: “63 years ago, my grandmother had to fight for girls like me to even have a fair education. And now, generations later, I can make my impact on the same city, but only because of what she accomplished.”
During the 2024 Time Magazine’s Women of the Year Gala, she expressed her wish to improve women’s empowerment by encouraging one another during her toast. She continued: “Waving to the young girls in tennis, knowing that my presence and influence on what they see in their own lives is incredibly meaningful. And yet, I turn 20 in just about two weeks. I am still a teenager and still learning to use my voice, and I am still being inspired by all the great women around me and the spotlight on empowering women and supporting each other.”
Coco Gauff stuns at the TIME Women of the Year Gala ❤ pic.twitter.com/LmJKQGs1yT
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 6, 2024
Coco Gauff in 2024
LWWWLLWLWW Currently the world no.3 (career-high), Gauff played her last match on the 22nd of February when she was defeated by world no.25 Anna Kalinskaya 2-6 6-4 6-2 in the quarter in Dubai (draw).
This season the American achieved an overall 12-3 match record. Coco conquered 1 title in Auckland.
