What a fairytale! When you want something pretty badly, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it. Almost three years ago, a 17-year-old girl had packed up her bags to take her flight to Tokyo. However, just a few hours before boarding, her dream of representing her nation at the Olympics was shattered. Coco Gauff tested positive for COVID-19. Now, after almost 128 years, Americans have finally found a tennis player to be their flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony. Gauff has now, in fact, also become the youngest flag bearer of this mega event for Team USA. What a story, and what a character!

While recalling her last-minute pull-out from the Olympics last time, Coco Gauff revealed, “I was (crushed) for a day, and then I was like, well, there’s nothing I can do about it.” She understood that life isn’t just about playing tennis. However, those bitter memories at times still creep into her head. For example, Coco Gauff recently gave an interview with ‘Who What Wear’, where she was asked to reflect a bit on her excitement about participating in the Olympics for the first time in her career.

In reply, she said, “I’m super excited for the Olympics. It’s my first time going.” After that, she went on to add, “I qualified for Tokyo, but I got COVID at the same time. I need to put myself in a hazmat suit until I actually get there.” The 20-year-old tennis star went on to reveal that this is completely a different experience overall, and having ‘USA‘ mentioned in the back of their kits adds a different feeling. It makes one motivated automatically, “In tennis, we’re always representing our country, but it feels obviously a lot more [significant] when you’re playing in the Olympics,” said Gauff.

On Friday (July 26), Coco Gauff will join the basketball star, LeBron James in hoisting the flag to lead almost 600 American athletes at the mega opening ceremony. How does she feel getting nominated for this prestigious role by a vote of almost 593 American athletes representing America in Paris?

“I still feel like this is all a dream” – Coco Gauff

The iconic Seine River will witness this youngster put her name in the history of American sports on Friday. Reflecting on her run of emotions after hearing this news, Coco Gauff said, “I wanted to cry when I found out but my whole team was there. So went in the corner and I did it.” She was literally shocked to know that she had been picked for this opportunity. Gauff doesn’t want to take this once-in-a-lifetime moment for granted. She’s desperate to showcase the passion and dedication of her whole team on the biggest stage!

Representing one’s nation at the Olympics is a dream come true moment, but to have your idol beside you as the male flag bearer is even more special for Coco Gaufff. Speaking on sharing this moment with LeBron James, Gauff stated, “I still feel like this is all a dream.” Now talking about her dream, well she has already mentioned that one of her “biggest dreams” is to win a gold medal. Be it singles, doubles, or even mixed doubles, it doesn’t matter to her. All she now wants is to wear that ‘yellow metal’ on her neck with her national flag wrapped on her shoulders!