You may think she’s down and out, but she’s not – yet. Coco Gauff always likes to remind her “haters” that she knows how to make a comeback in style. Yes, she’s “just a girl” but one who doesn’t shy away from facing challenges and overcoming them. Remember how the doubting Thomases speculated about her poor end to 2024’s season until she silenced them with the WTA Finals triumph? “I know some of you are a little bit petty like me so it does feel nice to silence them for a bit,” she wrote on X after clinching the title. This season is no different, with four back-to-back early round exits across WTA events. And as usual, Gauff knows her game well, and she’s letting it known in style – yet again.
After her elimination at the Australian Open in the QF, following a shocking loss to Paula Badosa, the world came crashing for the 21-year-old. Why so? Her form – which seemed amazing in the WTA Finals and then the United Cup, where she helped Team USA to clinch a second trophy – hit rock bottom. Like literally.
In Doha, she was ousted in R32 and faced a similar fate in Dubai. At the Indian Wells, a slight ray of hope emerged but faded soon. She was eliminated in the R16 as Bencic ruined her plans of celebrating her 21st birthday with a victory. Her last event, in Miami, was no different as Magda Linette thrashed her, in R16, in straight sets.
Her performance has come under the scanner lately. Simply due to the inconsistencies in serves and frequent double faults. Currently, she leads the WTA chart for most double faults in 2025 (over 120). But guess what? The American star is not one to sit back and mourn on her shortcomings.
Following her exit from Indian Wells last month, she explained in a press conference, “Obviously I wanted to do better, want to have better results, but it’s not something I can crush myself on.” Well, her mentality is crystal clear, which becomes evident from her latest admission on social media.
After witnessing a great week at the Stuttgart Open, where she’s entered the QF after crushing Germany’s Ella Seidel 6-1 6-1 in R16, Gauff took to her IG account on Friday. And what did she share? A simple message, but a powerful one indeed. “just a girl,” she wrote in a post dated April 18. But wait, there’s more to it!
“playing in her ruffled socks, pleated skirt, and muscles strong enough to squat your body weight ”, she concluded. The post featured a series of pictures from her on-court performance in the match where she dominated Seigel ruthlessly.
And it becomes evident from where this strong energy in her comes from. Her idol and one and only Serena Williams – the 23-time Grand Slam queen. Ever since her professional debut in 2018, Gauff has seemingly mirrored Williams across her WTA campaigns. Thus emerging as one of the promising talents and (perhaps) a true heir to ReRe’s legacy.
For example, last season when she won the WTA Finals, she was the first American woman player to lift the trophy in a decade. Guess who did it before her? Serena, of course – in 2014.
Even when she won her maiden slam in 2023, at the Flushing Meadows, she became the first American teenager to clinch the US Open. Last time, it was Serena who accomplished this feat in 1999, aged 17, after defeating Martina Hingis in the summit clash.
“I grew up watching her. I mean that’s the reason why I play tennis,” she told the WTA back in August 2022.“Tennis being a predominantly white sport, it definitely helped a lot. Because I saw somebody who looked like me dominating the game. It made me believe that I could dominate too.”
And Gauff made her feelings known for her idol once again this week after the tennis legend earned a special place in the TIME’s prestigious list.
Coco Gauff can’t stop praising her idol, Serena Williams, following a ‘TIME triumph’
Earlier this week, Serena Williams was inducted in TIME magazine’s 2025 list featuring world’s 100 most influential people. Fellow athletes like Simone Biles, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier joined her. Not to mention entertainment figures like Demi Moore, Lorne Michaels, and Snoop Dogg.
Reacting to this historic moment, the 23-time slam queen, who retired from the racket sport back in 2022 after dominating the court for two decades, said, “I’ve given my whole life to tennis, and I would gladly give another two years if I had time,” reported TIME magazine on April 16.
“Whether it’s through her venture-capital fund that invests in companies founded by women and people of color, or joining the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, a WNBA expansion team, or dancing during halftime at the Super Bowl, she continues to show that we, as athletes, are so far from one-dimensional,” read TIME’s article admiring Williams’ profile.
“She doesn’t have to do any of this. She could take a break from being in the public eye and raise her family. Instead, she continues to pave the way. So many female athletes see ourselves in Serena. A win for her is a win for all of us.” Indeed, it’s a big victory, earning praise from all corners. Especially the tennis world. And Coco Gauff was among those who couldn’t resist herself from admiring her idol for achieving this milestone.
“Most influential people of all time, I mean, that’s an incredible accomplishment that she definitely deserves,” Gauff said, as reported by Tennis Channel on April 17. “She probably influenced millions, and I’m one of them. Not only in tennis but worldwide, just to be strong women and especially women of color.” Concluding her remarks, the World No.4 added, “It’s well-deserved. I wasn’t surprised when I saw that.” For the record, in 2024, Gauff was named one of the publication’s “Women of the Year” on the heels of her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open.
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