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Corey Gauff: Serena’s AO 2010 triumph kick-started Coco’s tennis journey
“I was watching Serena actually win here, when Coco was five years old,” he recalled.
“Even in college, my teammates used to laugh that I’d get up at breakfast for Wimbledon, I’d get up in the middle of the night and watch the Australian Open, because I was still very much a tennis fan.
LISTEN: Corey Gauff on The Sit-Down
“And Serena won one year and I got excited; she was jumping around and we were excited and then I went out and bought her a tennis racquet.
“I thought that, you know, maybe she would be a good tennis player. I knew that she’d be a pretty good athlete, but just wasn’t sure what sport it would be.”
Fifteen years ago, Williams won a memorable three-set final over arch-rival Henin, their one and only meeting in a Grand Slam final.
It was the fifth of Serena’s seven Australian Open titles, and the first time she’d defended her crown at Melbourne Park.
“Then I went out and bought (Coco) a little Prince racquet and a little soft spongy ball,” Gauff continued, “and she started hitting against the garage and she just kinda stayed there, hitting them and hitting them.
“My mind started turning, like, maybe it’s a possibility.
“But we didn’t do much with it at (age) five. We kinda revisited the whole thing when she turned seven.”
Corey Gauff: Serena’s AO 2010 triumph kick-started Coco’s tennis journey
In 2010, Serena Williams achieved a remarkable victory at the Australian Open, claiming her fifth title at the prestigious tournament. Little did she know that her triumph would have a lasting impact on the future of women’s tennis, particularly in the form of a young prodigy named Coco Gauff.
At the time, Coco was just six years old and had already shown a keen interest in tennis. Watching Serena dominate on the court inspired her to dream big and set her sights on reaching the same heights in the sport.
As Coco grew older, her passion for tennis only intensified, and she quickly made a name for herself as a rising star in the junior circuit. Her talent and determination caught the attention of many, including Serena herself, who took notice of the young phenom’s potential.
With Serena as her role model and inspiration, Coco continued to hone her skills and work tirelessly to achieve her goals. In 2019, she made headlines around the world by defeating Venus Williams in the first round of Wimbledon, becoming the youngest player to win a match at the tournament since 1991.
Since then, Coco has continued to impress with her performances on the court, showcasing a level of maturity and composure well beyond her years. Her journey in tennis has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it all began with Serena’s historic victory at the Australian Open in 2010.
As Coco continues to make waves in the tennis world, one thing is clear: Serena’s triumph at the Australian Open was not just a moment of glory for herself, but also a catalyst for the next generation of champions, with Coco Gauff leading the charge.
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- Corey Gauff
- Serena Williams
- Australian Open 2010
- Coco Gauff
- Tennis journey
- Tennis prodigy
- Grand Slam champion
- Next generation tennis star
- Tennis inspiration
- Family support
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