Coco Gauff has openly acknowledged that Serena Williams and Venus Williams played a crucial role in inspiring her journey in tennis, a sport mostly dominated by white athletes. Growing up in Compton and witnessing the Williams sisters’ impact encouraged Gauff, a person of color, to believe she could succeed on the global stage.
Despite lacking access to elite facilities and coaching, Serena and Venus overcame enormous challenges during their rise. Trained by their father, Richard Williams, they often practiced and competed in environments where they were not always accepted. Facing criticism over everything from their appearances to their confidence, they persevered and achieved remarkable success. Their victories and determination inspired not only Gauff but also other Black tennis stars such as Sloane Stephens and Frances Tiafoe.
In a 2024 interview with TIME, Gauff reflected on the importance of seeing players who looked like her:
“As a little girl, it was very important to see representation and see myself in players, especially in the field where it is predominantly white. I don’t think I would have had the belief I could do it if it wasn’t for them.” —Coco Gauff, Tennis Player
The achievements of Serena and Venus Williams are extraordinary. Combined, they have secured 30 Grand Slam singles titles—Serena with 23 and Venus with 7. Together in doubles, they dominated with 14 Major wins and earned three Olympic gold medals, solidifying their legacy as one of the greatest partnerships in tennis history.
How Coco Gauff’s Second Grand Slam Victory at the French Open Highlighted Serena Williams’ Influence
Coco Gauff’s remarkable win at the 2025 French Open marked her second Grand Slam title, again defeating Aryna Sabalenka, whom she had also beaten in the 2023 US Open final for her first Major. This victory made Gauff the youngest American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2002, and the first to capture the title since Serena’s last triumph there in 2015.
After her win, Gauff spoke to NBC about her deep admiration for Serena, explaining how she was the reason Gauff started playing tennis:
“It means a lot,” Coco Gauff said. “She’s the reason I picked up the racket and the sport, and have the belief that I do.” —Coco Gauff, Tennis Player
“And for me, to be able to be in any conversation with her, obviously she has her own legacy that will never be touched, but for me just to even have like a 5% of that, means so much to me and dreaming big and watching her compete in real life… I don’t know,” she added. —Coco Gauff, Tennis Player
Continuing, Gauff reflected on the significance of her achievement saying,
“It’s just crazy to say that 10 years later, I’m here with that trophy after she held it, so it means a lot and to finally put Americans back in that French Open conversation.” —Coco Gauff, Tennis Player
Venus Williams had expressed confidence in Gauff’s potential to win at Roland Garros, and Gauff’s victory affirmed that faith. The support and example set by the Williams sisters remain a vital inspiration for Gauff and a new generation breaking barriers in tennis.
Gauff’s rise signals a hopeful shift in tennis, illustrating how representation and perseverance can shape the future of the sport. Her success continues the legacy begun by Serena and Venus, encouraging more young players of color to pursue their ambitions in tennis’s historically exclusive arena.