The most valuable advice Serena Williams gave Coco Gauff

© DerlyRonaldo58 / X / Fair Use

Coco Gauff proved to be one of the dominant figures of the tennis scene this season. After a busy season, the young tennis player wants to use the rest period to set goals for the next season, and she is aware that serious challenges await her. Throughout her career, Coco Gauff has always been guided by certain role models such as Serena Williams, a tennis player who built a magnificent career and was an example for many.

In an interview with Forbes, the 21-year-old spoke about her relationship with Serena Williams and the influence that the famous tennis player has on her.

Gauff revealed how their first meeting came about.

The young American surprised the public by revealing how she and Williams met.

“Yeah I think I was like 10 or 11 years old, and they actually needed a body double for a shoot that she was doing to play a younger version of her.

And so at the last minute, they asked me to do it and I did it, and I got to meet her at the shoot. I don’t even know if she knew I played tennis at the time or anything like that, but she was just so kind.

And I think later on in the shoot someone must have told her that I play tennis, so she was just like, ‘Oh, keep believing in yourself, work hard’, the typical rundown.

But as a kid you’re just grasping onto everything. And I just remember her walking by and it just felt like, not real.”- she said, as quoted by The Tennis Gazette.

Useful tip for Coco

However, Coco Gauff later stressed that it was not the best advice she received from Williams, considering that later, when she became a professional tennis player, she received many useful tips.

Serena, as an experienced figure, wanted to guide her on the right path and help her become as great as possible.

Serena’s advice still rings in her ears, especially the one about focusing on her own path and expectations for herself, not others.

“No, over time when I grew up and she started to grasp maybe who I was, I think for me, she told me that there’s ups and downs on this journey, and also with the outside noise and things like that, and just trying to focus on your pathway, and your expectations of yourself and not expectations placed by others, because obviously she’s the GOAT, so she had to experience so much pressure. So just trying to remind me of that.”- she concluded.

Coco Gauff is only 21 years old and has already shown the diversity of her talent and potential. Many predict a brilliant career and even greater success, and there is hope that one day Gauff will find her place on the throne and be at the top of the WTA rankings.