Venus Williams Offers Guidance to Coco Gauff Ahead of French Open
As Coco Gauff stormed into the third round of the French Open, she received high praise from tennis legend Venus Williams, who believes the young American has what it takes to win the tournament. According to an interview with talksport.com, Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, expressed her admiration for Gauff’s passion and skill on the court.
Williams, who has had a storied career in tennis, revealed that she has a close relationship with Gauff off the court. However, when it comes to offering advice, Williams made it clear that she can’t provide guidance to Gauff or fellow American Madison Keys, saying, “You know what? I was always playing against them. So, I never really got the chance to give them much advice. They were playing so well. I lost to both of them. So, it’s not easy to be in that position where you mentor and you’re playing against someone, but these girls know what they’re doing.”
The two tennis stars have had a memorable history on the court, with Gauff beating Williams twice, including a stunning upset at Wimbledon in 2019. At just 15 years old, Gauff pulled off a 6-4, 6-4 win over Williams in the first round of Wimbledon, marking her Grand Slam debut. As talksport.com reported, Gauff has since gone on to win her maiden major at the US Open in 2023.
Williams expressed her delight in seeing Gauff’s development as a player, saying, “I love her passion. I think sometimes she is too hard on herself. I think she has just got to let go and allow herself to do what she can do.” Williams also acknowledged that Gauff has high expectations for herself, adding, “She has such big expectations of herself, so I would love to see her win here. She has come close. I came close, too. Coming close is not the goal, though, I know she wants to win.”
During an interview on TNT, Gauff and Williams reunited, with Gauff expressing her gratitude for Williams’ influence on her career, saying, “You and Serena are the reason I started this sport, and being here is surreal. I didn’t know you were going to be at the desk. I’m really happy to be here.” Williams responded with praise for Gauff and Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, saying, “I’m so glad you’re here, because of you and Sloane, there are so many young girls who are picking up racquets, and that’s so important.”
As Gauff continues her campaign at the French Open, it’s clear that she has the support and admiration of tennis legend Venus Williams. With her talent, passion, and determination, Gauff is sure to make a strong impression at Roland-Garros. According to talksport.com, Williams’ words of encouragement and praise for Gauff are a testament to the young American’s hard work and dedication to the sport.
In related news, Gauff’s strong performance at the French Open has garnered attention from tennis fans worldwide. As she looks to go further than her 2022 campaign, where she lost to Iga Swiatek in the final, Gauff will undoubtedly be one to watch in the tournament. With the guidance and support of tennis legends like Venus Williams, Gauff is well on her way to achieving her goals in the sport.
The French Open continues to captivate audiences with thrilling matches and impressive performances from top players. As talksport.com continues to provide in-depth coverage of the tournament, fans can stay up-to-date on the latest news and updates from Roland-Garros.
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