Coco Gauff praises Serena Williams' impact on tennis in general, and her career in particular ahead of US Open

2022 French Open finalist and American tennis prodigy Coco Gauff has praised retiring legend Serena Williams ahead of her US Open swansong. The influence of the Williams sisters on American tennis has never been in doubt, but Gauff took time out to specifically explain, saying «growing up I never thought that I was different because the No. 1 player in the world was somebody who looked like me.» Ad Gauff went on to explain that the former world No.

1's drive and refusal to accept failure has been an inspiration in her own career. «Then also on a more personal level, I got to have a couple conversations with her later on in life. I think it's just the way that she handles herself.

She never puts herself down. I love that she always elevates herself. Sometimes being a woman, a black woman in the world, you kind of settle for less.» US OpenUS Open order of play, Day 1 — When are Serena and Murray playing?10 HOURS AGO Watching Serena as an emerging tennis prodigy, Gauff was able to learn a lesson she sees as primordial for her, «I feel like Serena taught me that.

She never settled for less. I can't remember a moment in her career or life that she settled for less. I think that's something I took from.

As a person, I'm growing into being an adult and learning how to handle things now with the media and tennis and everything, I'm trying to learn to not settle for less.» Gauff added a final tidbit, revealing that the first money she ever made for herself, came from playing Serena in a commercial. “They needed a stunt double to play a young version of her from just the face down. I think it was for a Delta commercial.