How a tennis icon sparked 5-year-old Coco Gauff’s passion, as revealed by her father

America’s tennis prodigy Coco Gauff, a 21-year-old Grand Slam champion with over 10 WTA titles to her name, traces her meteoric rise to a pivotal childhood moment—one her father recently unveiled. As the world No. 3 gears up for the 2025 French Open, aiming to add a second major trophy to her 2023 US Open triumph, her father, Corey Gauff, shared the origin story of her unshakable drive.

It began not on a court, but in front of a television screen, where a legendary figure’s triumph ignited a fire in a wide-eyed five-year-old. Who was the trailblazer that set Coco’s destiny in motion?

The Serena Williams spark

The answer lies in a 2010 Australian Open final. Watching from their Florida home, a young Coco and her father witnessed a historic performance by a 23-time Grand Slam champion—Serena Williams. Mesmerized by Serena’s dominance, Corey turned to his daughter and declared,

“Man, she’s going to be the GOAT.” When Coco asked what “GOAT” meant, he explained it stood for “Greatest of All Time.” In that moment, Coco’s ambition crystallized: “I want to be a GOAT!” Corey recalled in a recent Rolex documentary. The next day, he bought her first tennis racket, setting her on a path to greatness.

Coco Gauff’s journey began on public courts in Delray Beach, with Corey as her coach. Though doubts occasionally crept in—especially as a Black athlete in a sport lacking diversity—Serena’s legacy became her North Star.

“Growing up, it was never a given I’d be a pro,” Coco admitted. “Tennis still feels uncommon in the Black community.” Yet Serena’s example proved that barriers were meant to be shattered.

Coco Gauff's journey: From child prodigy to champion

By age eight, Coco Gauff claimed her first tournament title. At 15, she stunned the world at Wimbledon, becoming the youngest qualifier in tournament history and toppling Venus Williams in a match that echoed Serena’s fearlessness. By 2022, she reached her maiden Grand Slam final at Roland Garros. A year later, she hoisted the US Open trophy, fulfilling the promise she’d glimpsed as a child.

“Having a Grand Slam is surreal,” Coco reflected. “But it’s about more than trophies. It’s inspiring others through who you are.” Just as Serena’s resilience guided her, Coco now aims to empower the next generation.

As Coco prepares for the 2025 French Open, her story comes full circle. The same tournament where she once chased autographs now sees her as a titan—poised to honor Serena’s influence by carving her own legacy. With her father’s revelation shedding light on her roots, Coco Gauff’s journey transcends sport. It’s a testament to how a legend’s shadow can nurture a champion’s light.