Coco Gauff recalled a conversation she had with her mother after being named USA’s co-flag bearer at the Paris Olympic Games.
The 20-year-old was selected to carry the flag at Friday’s opening ceremony along with NBA superstar and four-time champion LeBron James.
The tennis World number two will make history by becoming the first tennis player to carry the American flag at the Olympic Games.
Gauff was pleasantly surprised with the honour and it will certainly give her a boost ahead of competing at the Olympic Games for the first time.
What did Coco Gauff say to her mother after becoming the USA’s co-flag bearer at the Paris Olympics?
Gauff has achieved some special things in her career, such as winning a Grand Slam title at the age of 19 and now she has one it biggest honours a sportsperson can have.
She admitted her shock at being selected to carry the USA’s flag with James, and though she held her emotions in while the camera was rolling, Gauff broke down in tears while speaking to her mother afterwards.
During an appearance on The TODAY Show, Gauff said: “I was like, ‘Why are you doing this right now?’ And then, he ended with that, and I was completely shocked. (It) never would’ve crossed my mind. I have no words, honestly.
“It made me cry. I didn’t want to cry in front of my teammates. When Chris told me, I was holding it in, but when I called my mom, I started crying.
“I think it’s even more special that so many incredible people — even now I get emotional thinking about it — but so many incredible people just think that I am worthy of this. It means a lot, truly.”
Is Paris 2024 Coco Gauff’s first Olympic Games?
The Paris Games will mark the first time that Gauff will compete at the Olympics.
She was due to play at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 but she tested positive for coronavirus the day before she was due to fly to the Japanese capital.
Three years later, Gauff is in Paris ready to compete for an Olympic medal and she will do so as the co-flag carrier for Team USA, which left her feeling emotional.
“It’s crazy how some of the darkest moments in your life can prepare you for the biggest one,” Gauff added. “Not only am I here, playing my first Olympics, I have the honor to be the flag bearer, which is something I never thought in my lifetime.
“I usually have goals, and I wouldn’t say predict, but I believe I can do certain things. And I definitely would never have believed or predicted that I could do this.”
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