Coco Gauff’s first US Open victory run proved to be amazing in more ways than one. While it was something that she had been waiting for as a tennis player, on the other hand, her first Grand Slam victory opened the doors for her to follow Venus and Serena Williams and inspire the others standing in line behind her carrying the same dream.
Recently, after the amazing victory, her compatriot and former Grand Slam champion, Sloane Stephens, weighed in with a huge opinion reflecting the situation of American tennis.
Sloane Stephens believes Coco Gauff is an inspiration to others
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Achieving a Grand Slam victory at the age of 19 is the most unbelievable thing the sixth-ranked tennis player could have ever achieved. After her achievement, her 30-year-old compatriot talked during the Diego Open Press Conference about how the young American sensation has started to inspire a lot of tennis players with her talent and zeal to achieve the greatest.
She said, “It’s really nice to see her have some amazing results. I think everyone raises their level when they see someone doing well. The state of American tennis right now is incredible. Especially on the women’s side, and also on the men’s side.. but on the women’s side it’s very heavy. That only makes players want to improve & get better.”
Further, the 2017 US Open champion also added that she has known the 19-year-old since she was just 6 years old, highlighting how they played in the same club and even shared the same coach while praising her tennis talent.
Sloane Stephens says Coco Gauff’s US Open win inspires her & other players to improve:
“Obviously she's so young & so talented. I've known her since she was like 6 years old. We played at the same club & had the same coach. It's really nice to see her have some amazing results.… pic.twitter.com/ukP2gdQ0Fx
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 12, 2023
Subsequently, after winning her maiden Grand Slam title, the sixth seed also talked about the struggles that the Williams sisters went through that paved the way for her amazing US Open win. She also highlighted her source of inspiration: to do great on the tennis court.
Gauff reveals her tennis inspiration
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The new US Open champion has always been open about inspiring other people with her actions and her words on and off the tennis court. During the post-match press conference after the amazing victory, she talked about a 22-year-old humiliating incident that the 23-time Grand Slam champion faced at Indian Wells while fighting for her own position in the tennis world.
In addition, she also highlighted how the eldest Williams sister also had a journey filled with struggle as she fought for equal pay rights for female tennis players. Subsequently, bringing out these realistic examples from the past, Gauff highlighted how they are the reason why she was able to make it this big on the tennis court.
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What do you think, though, about the 19-year-old tennis star becoming a role model both on and off the court? Post your comments in the space provided below.
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