Coco Gauff’s latest Instagram stories reveal a surprising side hustle: track and field. After a heartbreaking debut at the Paris Olympics, Gauff has taken up the cheerleading role for the Team USA, as they bring in the Gold with world records. Hence, her recent thoughts about trying her luck at some track event are not an instant thought. But a well-motivated belief to run. Maybe Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, along with other golden stars on the track, and her genetics have given her the much-needed shot in the arm. Ever wonder if she could’ve been a track star?

The young American tennis star is at the Canadian Open right now, getting ready to defend her US Open title. This hasn’t stopped Gauff from cheering or even taking up the role of commentator as Tara Davis-Woodhall wins her long jump gold. And as the stars on track bring in more glory to the USA, Gauff took the opportunity to share her tryst with the event. It was in the middle school that Gauff ran and won all her races except two, “and both were against the same girl and she was in 8th grade”. However, what’s more surprising is the fact that she never practiced for track events.

When questioned during a press conference, “How much, is there ever any, not FOMO, but do you ever wonder what would have happened if you’d stuck with the track when you watch the track competition?” After ousting Yafan Wang on Thursday, the 20-year-old didn’t mince her words in the post-match conference. She confidently said, “Yeah, I actually do, and I do, I mean, I do feel like I could have been, I don’t know if I would have been as good as I was in tennis in track, but I strongly feel like if I would have trained I could have been an Olympian.”

Gauff admitted to often wondering about a potential track and field career. She even proposed the idea of competing in local track meets during the off-season to her father, purely for fun and curiosity about her current abilities. Though she acknowledged the need to learn starting from blocks, she expressed interest in a one-off race without intensive training to simply see her time.

Moreover, track and field is in her blood, as her mother ran track for Florida State. And pondering over her career in the track, Gauff feels that the race which is a tough test of endurance, strength, and speed, 400m would have been hers. And it’s not just her, but even the 100m champion Noah Lyles said that he saw her as a 400mH if not in tennis. However, Gauff is “scared” of hurdles. Hence, they would be stuck to 400m only, not a longer distance.

Rightly so, there is no stopping a talented and hardworking person. They excel whatever they set their minds on and Gauff is no different. Despite the loss at the Games, the World No.2 has kept her spirits high, as she focuses on the upcoming battle at the US Open.

With tough mind and increased focus, Gauff narrates her Olympic story

Gauff was all set to crack her target set: an Olympics medal, in Paris. That’s why, the 20-year-old entered in all the categories possible to multiply her chances at the medal. However, the sought-after medal evaded Gauff’s grasp everywhere. But the World No.2 is not the one to sit around and mop, and she certainly didn’t come empty-handed from Paris. She gained valuable experience to help her get ready for all the upcoming battles.

After a tough loss against the lower-ranked player, she said, “Yeah, it’s definitely difficult. I feel like a lot of times people play their best tennis against higher-ranked players, and that’s just because they have nothing to lose. So it’s definitely a difference. If everybody’s playing me at their high level, it can only make me better. The Olympics was a great learning experience for me, and it really showed me that perspective a lot.”

With her never-give-up spirit, Coco Gauff would continue her campaign in the tennis circuit. Though she might run a few races during the off-season for fun. But Gauff and tennis certainly go together.