Even with a jam-packed schedule of tennis tournaments lined up, 19-year-old Coco Gauff never misses a chance to spend time doing what she enjoys. Currently, she is recovering from the disappointing Wimbledon campaign where she gave it her all to win the Grand Slam competition. Thus, she took a break from her hectic schedule to travel to Atlanta, one of her favorite cities, to play an exhibition match.

Although the 19-year-old was raised in Florida, she has roots in Atlanta. Recently, after she triumphed over Leylah Fernandez in front of the Atlanta crowd, she expressed her fondness for the city, stating that it had played a significant role in her life.

Coco Gauff shares her love for Atlanta

After facing a first-round defeat at Wimbledon, and trying hard to raise the bar in the doubles category, the WTA world no.7 recently took some time off from her busy schedule to play an exhibition match. After claiming an effortless victory against the Canadian tennis star, she talked about her love for the city. In addition, the Delray Beach native highlighted the deep connection she shares with the beautiful city.

She said, “It’s really cool to see it, and I truly pick Atlanta as one of my favorite cities in the world. And I always try to come without the exhibition, I visit a lot frequently. Some people do know that, so I do try to come here as much as I can. I do feel at home here.” 

Apparently, she was born in the city and spent her early childhood there, as she lived there from the age of two until the 3rd grade. And because she also has family and friends, she frequently comes to the city even when there are no tennis matches there. In addition, she also talked about how the people out there in the city look up to her as an inspiration, especially a lot of young girls.

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Nevertheless, a few hours before her face-off, she also talked about how the city shaped her, especially as a black woman trying to make her place in a prominent white sport.

How has Atlanta shaped Coco Guaff as a tennis player?

According to Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, the 19-year-old tennis sensation reflected on how spending time in the City has just taught her to love herself first and stay true to herself and her culture. In addition, she also emphasized on the fact that the person she is today would only be complete if she spent time in Atlanta.

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Further, the world number 7 added that being a black woman and having the support of all the people in Atlanta actually means a lot to her. Well, the way Gauff exhibited happiness and interacted with the spectators during the exhibition shows that she definitely wants to give the city back all the love she has received in the past few years.