Coco Gauff is set to uphold ‘idol’ Serena Williams‘ Olympics touch further. The young American will finally achieve a lifelong dream when she represents the United States at the Olympic Games. Recently, the 42-year-old tennis player shared her reaction to Gauff taking on such a huge responsibility on the big stage.

The 2o-year-old has realized her Olympic goal as she heads a star-studded tennis squad from the United States that also features Jessica Pegula, Danielle Collins, and Emma Navarro in the women’s singles draw. Gauff will be the youngest American to wave the Stars and Stripes at the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris today.

Upon being chosen by her fellow American athletes for the Olympics, Gauff became the first tennis player to represent the United States as a flag carrier at the opening or closing ceremonies at the age of twenty. On the other hand, she is carrying Serena Williams’ legendary legacy into her Olympic debut in Paris by entering as a flag bearer. However, the 42-year-old never got an opportunity to do the same at the Olympics throughout her career.

Nevertheless, when the 23-time Grand Slam champion was asked about Gauff being one of the flag bearers, Williams shared her excited take on the same. She gushed, “It’s amazing. Isn’t that great? I’m so excited to see her tonight. I’m just so happy for her. Oh god, I love it.” 

Coco Gauff is reportedly aiming to emulate the 23-time Grand Slam winner and four-time Olympic gold medalist (three in doubles and one in singles) by starting as the second seed at the Paris Games. Gauff sent an open letter to herself when she was 17 years old, before the 2024 Olympics, discussing the heartache she had in Tokyo and taking inspiration from Williams.

She stated, “Serena was once just a stranger printed on a poster hanging in your room, and now you still can’t believe she’s a friend and mentor. Her profound impact on tennis and what it means to be a champion and to break barriers is a legacy you hope to uphold and carry with you into your first Olympic Games.”

On the other hand, the young tennis star has followed Williams since she was a young girl and even had a picture of her on her wall.

Serena Williams fan Coco Gauff put up her picture in her bedroom

When it comes to the Olympics, Coco Gauff wants to surpass even her idol’s impressive resume of accomplishments. Gauff has previously stated her lofty ambitions, stating that when she was just 15 years old, she hung a Serena poster in her bedroom and said, “I want to be the best ever. I want to be better than Serena, and I want to have that Grand Slam record.” 

However, Gauff is determined to carve out her own path in tennis and personality, hoping to depart from her well-known predecessor in a unique way. She added, “I want to be the best version of myself. Watching Serena, I was like, there’s no one going to be greater than her. I definitely want to at least get to double digits in Slams.”

Subsequently, Williams’ gracious words highlight the passing of the torch to the next generation, with Gauff set to represent not only the future of American tennis but also the enduring legacy of those who paved the way. Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Gauff entering the big stage? Do let us know in the comment section below.