Cori Gauff, the 15-year-old tennis star is currently focused and competing in her first senior U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows. After her historic journey till Wimbledon’s fourth round, Cori “Coco” Gauff is facing far more experienced and rough compatriots and still achieving great heights. For this competition, the talented American tennis prodigy has received words of wisdom from her role model and now friend, who is none other than former First Lady Michelle Obama, Cheatsheet reported.
After making a stunning breakthrough at Wimbledon last month, the 15-year-old was given a wildcard into the US Open, making her the youngest player in the draw.
Key Takeaways:
- After making a stunning breakthrough at Wimbledon last month, the 15-year-old was given a wildcard entry into the US Open, making her the youngest player in the draw.
- Cori Gauff is a big fan of Obama’s latest book, Becoming. Before her matches in her first senior U.S. Open, Gauff has received words of wisdom from her role model and now friend, former First Lady Michelle Obama.
- Gauff had an impressive score at Wimbledon a few weeks ago with a straight-set win over Venus Williams, one of her tennis idols.
Wisdom from role model
Florida resident Gauff, who has been often touted as the next Serena Williams, has recently met her role model Michelle Obama. Earlier she had also posted a tweet to congratulate Gauff on her improving form and long list of wins against big names from the industry. This was when Gauff kicked off Wimbledon and played against Venus Williams, one of her tennis idols, and bettered her. The compatriot Venus Williams was defeated by a much young champ and the age gap between them was the biggest talk of the town — Gauff is younger to Venus by 23 years.
Obama tweeted:
According to USA Today Sports, Gauff is a big fan of Obama’s latest book, Becoming. The champ never thought she would get a face to face meeting with her idol so soon but in August she received an invitation to visit Obama in Washington. The tennis player said she was “super excited” to meet her and explained it that she is humbled to know that one of her role models knows that she exists. During the meeting, the author gave Gauff a signed copy of her autobiography. Gauff, in return, presented Obama with a signed tennis racquet.
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Obama told her to “stay focused and stay calm.”
Rafael Nadal offers advice
A 'big star' — Rafael Nadal cheered for Gauff after the American won against Russian Anastasia Potapova in the first round of the on-going US Open, Express.co.uk reported.
“I saw her a couple of days playing Wimbledon,” he said. “I think she is very strong to be - she's 15?”
“She's tall and she has a lot of power. I think she has a great intensity playing. Let's see. Of course, looks like she has an amazing future in front. I really wish her all the very best. Is tough to put lot of pressure on her now or talk too much about her now. Even if she's doing amazing things, she is very young. In my opinion, she needs to internalize the things step-by-step. If not, is easy to lose a little bit the perspective. I really hope that she has the right people around, and she will become a big star of this sport for sure,” he said.
On being an inspiration
Talking about being an inspiration to kids, the youngest player to ever qualify for the Wimbledon main draw, Gauff said, “The platform that I've been blessed again is really amazing,” she said.
“The amount of people and kids especially that come up to me saying I inspire them is honestly I guess better than any match I could win, just to know that I inspire another kid maybe to pick up a racquet or go through something they're facing at school,” she added.
“The amount of DMs I got on social media, also. I just hope I can continue this, continue to inspire.”
Gauff outlasted Hungary's Timea Babos 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the second round on Thursday. She is looking forward to play defending champion and world No 1 Naomi Osaka in the third round on Saturday.
Gauff outlasted Hungary's Timea Babos 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the second round on Thursday. She is looking forward to play defending champion and world No 1 Naomi Osaka in the third round on Saturday.
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Feature Image Credit: The New Yorker
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