Coco Gauff’s quick ascent to fame in the tennis world has enthralled spectators around the globe. However, her incredible talent conceals a tale of tenacity and resolve that has been shaped by her grandmother’s relentless commitment to guide her in life. During a toast to her 2024 TIME Women of the Year award, she revealed that it was her grandmother, Yvonne Odom, who played a pivotal role in developing and instilling the values of hard work and resilience in her.

The 19-year-old tennis player, after receiving her first award from Time Magazine, gave an emotional speech that reflected the wisdom that she has received from the women in her life. Her speech resonated with many of her fans and people who see her as a role model in the tennis community.

Coco Gauff on her grandmother’s influence on her life

Coco Gauff has always openly discussed ‌her grandmother’s influence in building her viewpoints in life. The tennis superstar has revealed how her grandmother was the first black person to attend the Delray Beach School in Florida and was the one to integrate that high school. Therefore, after receiving the prestigious award from Time Magazine, Coco Gauff did not forget to mention the positive impact of the influence that she has received from her grandmother throughout her life.

“My grandmother, Yvonne, 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 said during her toast.

Gauff further addressed the societal injustice and the many struggles that her grandmother has faced in her life. However, she is hopeful that using the platform that she has earned will help her to move forward in life and make her own impact on society.“63 years ago, my grandmother had to fight for girls like me to even have a fair education. And now, generations later, I am able to make my own impact on the same city, but only because of what she accomplished,” Gauff further added in the toast.

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It is clear that beyond being a loving grandmother; she had a profound impact on Coco Gauff’s life and career. She gave Gauff a strong sense of social responsibility and inspired her to change the world.

Gauff speaks about women’s empowerment

Besides being a tennis superstar at such a young age, Coco Gauff frequently vocalizes her perspective on important issues like women’s empowerment. In her toast at the 2024 Time Magazine’s Women of the Year Gala event, she mentioned her desire to bring about positive change in women’s empowerment by uplifting each other.

“Waving to the young girls in tennis, knowing that my presence and influence of what they see in their own life 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 ,” Gauff added in her speech.

Coco Gauff’s address to the young girls out there who are yet to show their talent to the world for bringing about more change in society gives a glimpse of the positive impact that she has received from her grandmother since childhood.

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