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IMAGE: Coco Gauff mentioned your entire Williams household – together with older sister and seven-time main winner Venus and their father Richard who first put a racket of their arms – additionally served as an inspiration. {Photograph}: Adam Fairly/Getty Imagess
American teenager Coco Gauff has credited Serena Williams and her household for paving the best way for the following technology of Black feminine tennis gamers.
Williams, 40, advised Vogue that “the countdown has begun” in the direction of her retirement, prompting an outpouring of reward for the 23-time Grand Slam champion for her groundbreaking affect on the game.
“I grew up watching her. That is the explanation why I play tennis,” Gauff advised reporters after her first-round victory on the Canadian Open in Toronto on Tuesday.
“Tennis being a predominantly white sport it positively helped quite a bit. As a result of I noticed anyone who regarded like me dominating the sport. It made me imagine that I might dominate too.”
Gauff mentioned your entire Williams household – together with older sister and seven-time main winner Venus and their father Richard who first put a racket of their arms – additionally served as an inspiration.
“Mr Williams and all that he is completed for each of them impressed my dad to proceed to educate me and assist me. Regardless that he had not likely a lot tennis expertise. However he mentioned, ‘If Mr Williams can do it, then I can’,” added Gauff.
The 18-year-old mentioned she nonetheless wished a crack at her idol earlier than she retires, which is anticipated to return after the US Open that kicks off later this month in New York.
“I’ve at all times wished to play her. So I am hoping that my attract Cincinnati or the US Open and even right here (Toronto) can work out so we are able to play one another as a result of that is simply one among my targets,” Gauff mentioned.
“However I feel the legacy that she’s left the world … I do not suppose some other participant can most likely contact. I feel that the legacy that she is going to proceed to go away all through her life is one thing that may encourage many extra generations.”
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