Coco Gauff’s Admiration for the Williams Sisters
Coco Gauff has openly shared the influence of the Williams sisters on her career, particularly Venus Williams. Recently, Gauff took the time to watch Venus compete at the Citi Open in Washington, where she delightedly joined her boyfriend for the event. This moment held significant meaning for Gauff, who had previously faced Venus in a memorable match during the first round of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships. Fast forward six years, Gauff has ascended to become the WTA World No. 2, while Venus, at age 45, continues to make her mark on the sport.
Venus Williams’ Enduring Talent
During the Citi Open, Venus showcased her enduring talent by defeating Peyton Stearns with a score of 6-3, 6-4 in her opening match, much to the excitement of fans, including Gauff. In an interview with People magazine, Gauff reminisced about the day, noting that it was a rare occasion where she felt compelled to cook dinner ahead of the match. Her enthusiasm was palpable as she expressed:
“I never cook, but I made dinner that night… I couldn’t wait to watch her play. It was the first match I had been excited about in a while.”
The Longevity of Women’s Tennis
Gauff praised Venus’s long-lasting presence in the game, stating:
“For women’s tennis, it’s fantastic to witness the longevity, especially in a sport like ours. We don’t often see this kind of endurance in other sports, outside of golf perhaps. It’s remarkable to see a figure like Venus competing at a high level for decades.”
Gauff’s Future in Tennis
As Gauff contemplates her future in tennis, she acknowledged the daunting thought of continuing her career into her 40s like Venus has. Having spent six years on the circuit, Gauff has participated in nearly 600 matches, yet she admits that expecting to extend her career to that length seems unlikely. She reflected:
“I don’t think I will be able to do that… not many players get to experience that. We need to make the most of the moments while they last.”
Looking Ahead
After recently exiting the Cincinnati Open in the quarter-finals, Gauff is now setting her sights on the upcoming US Open. Due to sponsor commitments, she has chosen to withdraw from the mixed doubles event, focusing entirely on her singles performances at Flushing Meadows.
