Connect with us

CELEBRITY

Coco Gauff on wanting to win TEN Grand Slams, living at home with her parents despite…see more

Published

on

Coco Gauff on wanting to win TEN Grand Slams, living at home with her parents despite $15M prize money – and how she’ll go all the way at Wimbledon

When I first met Coco Gauff in 2019, the 15-year-old talked about her exams, her parents and her ambition to be the best tennis player of all-time.

She had just qualified for Wimbledon and was about to face her hero Venus Williams in the first round. Her eyes seemed wide with wonder, yet narrowed with focus all at the same time.

It was clear this articulate teenager was something special, but no-one was ready for the sporting and cultural phenomenon that was about to be unleashed.

Five years later, we meet again on the same day, the Saturday before Wimbledon, to reflect on that extraordinary Championships debut and what has happened since.

Gauff is now a Grand Slam champion and has transcended tennis, ever since as a 16-year-old she passionately addressed a crowd outside Delray Beach city hall in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

In 2019 she was in training gear, but now Gauff is dressed like the superstar she has become — cascading braids dyed blonde just last week, a yellow top thrown over one shoulder and that ubiquitous athlete’s accessory, the bucket hat.

Gauff talks about how her career goals have changed, why she is finally ready to move out of her parents’ house and how looking back to that time five years ago helped her win her first Grand Slam title, last year’s US Open.

But first, that summer of 2019 and Gauff begins the story on Florida’s gulf coast.

‘I lost first round in qualifying in Bonita springs, a 100k tournament, and Mom and Dad were like, ‘OK, you need to figure out what you’re going to do’ and then this happened!’ she says.

‘I remember feeling super confident going into Wimbledon qualifiers that I was going to make it to the main draw. I drew the first seed in the first round and won and the other two matches were kind of a blur.

Then obviously the Venus match was insane and that was the moment I thought, ‘Maybe my dreams are closer than I realised’.’ She was on the cover of teen Vogue a few months later and her charisma, ability and vow to ‘change the world with her racket’ enchanted the public.

‘You see those movies about people’s life changing overnight and you don’t think it will happen to you, but it did,’ she says.

‘I didn’t think my story was going to be so captivating for the world to watch, but it was and people loved me for it. I loved that people had joy in watching me play.’

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Breaking news: Patrick Mahomes terminates his 7-year marriage to Brittany upon learning he is not the biological father of their children.
CELEBRITY20 minutes ago

Breaking news: Patrick Mahomes terminates his 7-year marriage to Brittany upon learning he is not the biological father of their children.

BREAKING: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Turn Heads Leaving Las Vegas Hand-in-Hand After a Glamorous Night at Patrick Justin Timberlake 8AM Invitational
CELEBRITY39 minutes ago

BREAKING: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Turn Heads Leaving Las Vegas Hand-in-Hand After a Glamorous Night at Patrick Justin Timberlake 8AM Invitational

JUST IN: Power Couple Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Bring Their Signature Charm and Star Power, Spotted Among the Roaring Crowd at WrestleMania 41, Making It a Night to Remember!
CELEBRITY47 minutes ago

JUST IN: Power Couple Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Bring Their Signature Charm and Star Power, Spotted Among the Roaring Crowd at WrestleMania 41, Making It a Night to Remember!

EXCLUSIVE: Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Giving Heart, Travis Kelce Unveils the Personal Story Behind His Ambitious New Charity Endeavor
CELEBRITY55 minutes ago

EXCLUSIVE: Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Giving Heart, Travis Kelce Unveils the Personal Story Behind His Ambitious New Charity Endeavor

JUST IN: Taylor Swift Spends Sunday with Travis Kelce and His Mom Donna, Joining in on Family Games and Traditions at Their Cozy Home
CELEBRITY1 hour ago

JUST IN: Taylor Swift Spends Sunday with Travis Kelce and His Mom Donna, Joining in on Family Games and Traditions at Their Cozy Home

EXCLUSIVE: Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Giving Heart, Travis Kelce Unveils the Personal Story Behind His Ambitious New Charity Endeavor
CELEBRITY1 hour ago

EXCLUSIVE: Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Giving Heart, Travis Kelce Unveils the Personal Story Behind His Ambitious New Charity Endeavor

NFL superstar Travis Kelce and pop icon Taylor Swift said “I do” last night in a wedding that had fans and A-listers alike buzzing with excitement. The couple, whose romance has captivated headlines since they went public in 2023, exchanged vows in a lavish ceremony attended by some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
CELEBRITY9 hours ago

NFL superstar Travis Kelce and pop icon Taylor Swift said “I do” last night in a wedding that had fans and A-listers alike buzzing with excitement. The couple, whose romance has captivated headlines since they went public in 2023, exchanged vows in a lavish ceremony attended by some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.

Patrick Mahomes terminates his 7-year marriage to Brittany upon learning he is not the biological father of their children.
CELEBRITY9 hours ago

Patrick Mahomes terminates his 7-year marriage to Brittany upon learning he is not the biological father of their children.

University of Texas Revokes Scholarships of 5 Anthem Kneelers...Full Details Below ⬇️👇
CELEBRITY4 days ago

University of Texas Revokes Scholarships of 5 Anthem Kneelers…Full Details Below ⬇️👇

NFL4 days ago

Massive Ocean County, NJ wildfire forces evacuations, threatens thousands of structures

Jennifer Jennifer Lopez’s Engagement Is Official—But Who Is the Lucky Man?**Click Here For Full Details 👇👇
CELEBRITY5 days ago

Jennifer Jennifer Lopez’s Engagement Is Official—But Who Is the Lucky Man?**Click Here For Full Details 👇👇

CELEBRITY1 week ago

UNBELIEVABLE: 3 hours ago, Dad with 240 Tattoos Called a Monster – His Before Photos Are Too Wild to…

Copyright © 2024 UKgets