Coco Gauff dubs Serena Williams the ‘GOAT of GOATs’ and lauds the legacy she’s left ahead of retirement

Coco Gauff hailed Serena Williams as the “GOAT of GOATs” and the reason she plays tennis following the 40-year-old’s decision to “evolve away” from tennis. Williams looks set to retire from the sport after the US Open, stating in an interview with Vogue that she “never liked the word retirement” but is planning to switch her focus to ventures away from tennis.

Ad The 23-time Grand Slam winner was an inspiration for Guaff, who was born in March 2004 – when Williams already had six major titles to her name. US Open'I should've had 30-plus Grand Slams,' says Williams as she prepares to retireAN HOUR AGO And speaking after her opening-round National Bank Open win over fellow American Madison Brengle in Toronto, Gauff saluted Williams for the legacy she has left.

“She’s just been playing forever, my whole life,” Gauff said. “The legacy that she’s left throughout her tennis career is something that I don’t think any other player can probably touch.

“I think that the legacy that she’ll continue to leave throughout her life is something that can inspire many more generations.” 'I should've had 30-plus Grand Slams,' says Williams as she prepares to retire 'The countdown has begun' — Williams confirms upcoming retirement 'I'm getting closer to the light' — Williams hints at retirement after first win of 2022 Gauff, 18, has been tipped to become a future Grand Slam winner, and reached the French Open final earlier this year where she lost to Iga Swiatek. She has not taken to the “next Serena” tag, but Gauff admits that Williams’ rise to dominance as a Black woman in a “predominantly white sport” is something to aspire to.

“I’ve learned a lot from them [Serena and sister Venus]. People always tell me that you’re going to be next