Coco Gauff: Tennis prodigy making waves beyond sports

Listening to Coco Gauff during a press conference, it becomes evident that the 19-year-old is truly remarkable. Gauff, a prodigious talent who burst onto the scene at the age of 15, initially gained global acclaim for her tennis skills. However, it didn’t take long for people to realize that her impact transcends the court. Her voice carries more weight than any serve, and her composure remains unwavering even in challenging situations.

In women’s tennis, there is a rich tradition of icons who have made a significant impact beyond the sport itself, and Gauff is poised to join their ranks as a deserving new face of the WTA tour.

Youngest American to reach the women’s semi-finals at the US Open

This week, Gauff achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest American to reach the women’s semi-finals at the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999, adding to a growing list of “firsts” she has accomplished in recent years.

In an era where young athletes face immense pressure, often with the influence of social media and millions of dollars at stake, Gauff has demonstrated a measured approach to handling the hype surrounding her.

“It’s important that you really know yourself because it’s very easy to feed into what you should and what you shouldn’t do when everyone is giving their opinions,” the Floridian said this week.

“For the most part I’ve done well with it. I think it’s because of my family. They have always kept me grounded and always set the importance of my self-worth because sometimes you can lose your sense of self in this environment, going from country to country, social media, all of that. I think they really help me embrace it instead of shy away from it.”

Gauff’s family support

Gauff’s parents, Corey and Candi, along with her grandmother, Yvonne Lee Odom, have been instrumental in guiding her career with a grounded perspective. They’ve fostered an environment where she can remain true to herself and embrace her age, all while emphasizing the significance of utilizing her voice.

Yvonne Lee Odom, her grandmother, was selected to integrate Seacrest High School back in 1961, and Gauff attributes her as the source of her inner activist inspiration.

“She had to deal with a lot of things, like racial injustice. Her leading the way that she is and being so kind to everyone regardless of their background is something that I take inspiration from,” said Gauff, who has attended Black Lives Matter rallies, given speeches, and frequently utilizes her platform to raise awareness on Black history.

“For her to go through what she did during that time is something that I think what I do putting out a tweet or saying a speech is so easy compared to that. So that’s why I have no problem doing the things that I do. She always reminds me that I’m a person first instead of an athlete.”

Perhaps Gauff’s genuine strength lies in recognizing that life encompasses more than just tennis, a lesson that takes most players years to grasp fully.

She acknowledges that it took her some time to realize that she didn’t have to maintain an ultra-focused approach to the sport at all times. Now, she’s beginning to tap into the happiness she knows she can find while carrying out her job.

“I have a lot of joy in me, but I just seem to bottle it up when I play. Now I’m really just having fun and laughing and smiling, and I think it’s making tennis more enjoyable,” she says.

Gauff set to take on Muchova

Gauff’s recent approach has propelled her to victory in 16 out of her last 17 matches on the tour. This impressive streak includes championship wins in D.C. and Cincinnati, along with her first-ever semi-final appearance at the US Open, where she is set to face Karolina Muchova in the early hours of Friday morning.

Throughout her two-week stay in New York, her press conferences have served as a model for effective communication. She has engaged in discussions on a wide range of topics, from emphasizing the significance of HBCU universities – “having spaces where Black people can feel free to be creative and live their life is important,” she notes – to sharing her star-struck encounter with the Biebers, and even recounting a meaningful conversation she had with the former ‘first couple,’ Barack and Michelle Obama.