Coco Gauff has enjoyed real success during the early years of her tennis career.
At just 20 years of age, the American star has developed into one of the WTA Tour’s most exciting players.
Gauff won her first Major title at the US Open in 2023, having appeared in the French Open final one year earlier.
She is now ranked third in the world, after a strong end to her 2024 campaign where she picked up two big titles.
Gauff won the China Open, in Beijing, taking down Karolina Muchova in straight sets to clinch her second WTA 1000 crown.
She then headed to the Middle East, where Gauff won the WTA Finals, with wins over Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Qinwen Zheng.
Many believe Gauff is on her way to legendary status on the WTA Tour, although she will be the first to admit she still has a long way to go if she wants to match her fellow American’s tennis legacy.
Coco Gauff described Serena Williams as the ‘undisputed’ greatest tennis player of all time in 2022
After her first-round win at the Canadian Open in 2022, Gauff was asked for her thoughts on Serena Williams, ahead of her retirement at the US Open later that year.
“The legacy that she’s left through her tennis career is something that I don’t think any other player can probably touch,” she said.
“I think that the legacy that she will continue to leave throughout her life is something that can inspire many more generations.
“There’s a reason why she’s the GOAT, because she’s the greatest of all time, and I’m sure when I retire she’s still going to be the greatest of all time.”
Gauff then explained that Williams‘ impact off the court contributed to her greatness just as much as her success on it.
“Yeah, I think that’s what makes her the GOAT, I mean if she had 23 Grand Slams and was a terrible person I wouldn’t consider her the GOAT,” she said.
“I think for me what makes her the GOAT is her personality and all that she’s done off the court to fight for equality, to fight for young players like me and continue to lead in the way that she does.
“That’s just Serena, I don’t think there will be anybody that can do what she did with all the adversity that she had to face, I don’t think there will be another player that will do that.”
The American youngster reaffirmed her opinions on Williams, suggesting her status as the G.O.A.T is a ‘fact’ not an opinion.
“I think, yeah, she’s the GOAT and undisputed too, in my opinion,” said Gauff.
“Well I don’t really think it’s an opinion, I think it’s a fact.
“Not just in tennis but in all sports, I think Serena for me, she’s the GOAT of all GOATs.”
Serena Williams said she ‘loved’ Coco Gauff’s ‘mental toughness’ in 2024
Gauff will no doubt have been delighted to hear praise from her GOAT, Williams, at the US Open in 2024, as she revealed what she ‘loved’ about the youngster’s game during a court-side interview.
“Coco also has a massive tennis IQ,” said Williams.
“I think she really uses her brain out there.
“I think she can really rely on her serve; obviously, her movement is great, and I just love her mental toughness and her mental fortitude.”
Gauff suffered a shock defeat to Emma Navarro in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open as she failed to defend her title in New York.
Having struggled during recent weeks on the WTA Tour, Gauff will make her return to action on home soil at this week’s Indian Wells tournament.
Entering the event as the number three seed, Gauff will kickstart her campaign in California against either Emma Raducanu or Moyuka Uchijima.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
