Coco Gauff’s father could have hardly imagined that a tennis match would shape his daughter’s destiny. However, one fateful day, as legendary Serena Williams battled for victory in Melbourne, an idea – more like a dream – clicked into place. That flash of inspiration would go on to shape the 2023 US Open winner’s future. The echoes of that match still resonate with the Gauff family, fueling a daily journey of commitment, hard work, and family devotion. “Thank you, first, to my parents,” once said the WTA star, in a grateful nod to the support that made it all possible. But what exactly sparked Corey Gauff’s vision that made Coco Gauff a household name in the United States?

Gauff tried her luck in the ongoing Slam quarterfinals against Spain’s Paula Badosa at Rod Laver Arena. Although she lost the match, the former US Open champion performed impressively throughout the tournament, overpowering Belinda Bencic, Leylah Fernandez, and Jodie Burrage. However, it is not just her playing style that has captured attention. Her on-court style has also become a major point of discussion among the fraternity. For many, Gauff’s own tennis journey evokes memories of the legendary Williams sisters, and for good reason. The WTA star considers them her icons. Interestingly, Gauff’s path to the sport itself has a special connection with the legendary Serena Williams.

On The Sit-Down Podcast, Gauff’s father, Corey Gauff, was asked about the inspiration behind his daughter’s entry to the sport. His response was a surprising one. Mr. Gauff revealed that the inspiration came from Serena Williams’ epic AO win in 2010 against Justine Henin. “I was watching Serena actually win here when Coco was five years old,” he recalled. Excited by Williams’ victory, Corey and his wife bought a racket for their young daughter – then barely five years old. “I thought that maybe she would be a good tennis player. I knew she’d be a pretty good athlete, but just wasn’t sure what sport it would be,” he concluded. Corey Gauff’s words highlighted his dedication to shaping his daughter into a skilled athlete, much like the Grand Slam-winning legend who inspired them.

Gauff’s father’s story might remind the fraternity of Serena Williams’ father Richard Williams, who envisioned success for his daughters after witnessing Virginia Ruzici’s 1978 French Open win and its lucrative prize cheque. While Corey  Gauff was inspired at the moment, his daughter’s training didn’t begin until she was seven, when she started to grasp the sport. Although he is a proud father, Corey Gauff resists labeling his US Open winner daughter a “prodigy.” Instead, he focuses on her relentless hard work as the key to success. “When it comes to something like tennis, [Coco] works hard. This is not an accident. She might be overnight popular, but she’s not an overnight success,” he stated.

Gauff’s actions and words are a testament to her admiration for her parents who dreamed the day with their daughter and cheered for her wholeheartedly. After her US Open win, reflecting on how her father once took her to see Serena and Venus Williams compete, Gauff said, “Thank you guys, you believed in me from the beginning.” Like Serena’s father, Gauff’s parents made unbelievable sacrifices for her career, even moving to Florida so that she could train in Delray Beach. But it wasn’t just her parents’ commitment; Gauff idealized Serena Williams since the beginning of her journey in the sports. Reflecting on the things she learned from Williams, Gauff paid her a great tribute echoing her admiration for the Olympic gold-medalist.

Coco Gauff revealed how meeting Serena Williams inspired her journey

Coco Gauff quipped in her 2023 US Open press conference that Serena Williams helped her earn her life’s first paycheck. While Williams probably forgot that she met her when she was nine or ten, Gauff recalled how she had played a the role of a young Serena for a Delta commercial. That is how she first crossed paths with her icon. Gauff revealed, “I don’t think they ever used it, but that was, like, my first check I ever got as a kid (laughter). She doesn’t know this, but the first money I ever made for myself was because of her doing a commercial (laughter).” She also said that she stopped by her trailer and took a picture but her icon probably has still no clue about the meeting. However, Gauff’s words expressed that the moment is itched in her heart forever.

She also paid a great tribute to Williams on the 2023 US Open’s media day. Reflecting on how Williams made her feel that she has a Sports icon who looks like her, Gauff said, “Before Serena came along, there was not really an icon of the sport that looked like me. So growing up, I never thought that I was different because the No. 1 player in the world was somebody who looked like me. I think that’s the biggest thing that I can take from what I’ve learned from Serena.”

In another instance, Gauff praised how Williams always “handles herself” without putting herself down – elevating herself even in the worst of situations. These little moments left an impact on Gauff, who tries to emulate the tennis great. And with Serena’s childhood coach himself admitting the two player’s similarities – in terms of speed, potential and power – it seems that Coco really is poised to be Serena’s successor in the sport.