Coco Gauff has an inseparable link with tennis legend Serena Williams. The 18-year-old tennis player has made a great start to the 2023 tennis season with the virtue of following the 23-time Grand Slam champions legacy in the sport. After the American tennis legend, the 18-year-old gets the great honor of leadership after winning her third WTA title. Gauff recently defeated Rebeka Masarova to win the ASB classic that took place in New Zealand.
The tradition of Korowai.
Almost 66 years ago, a tennis player from the mainland of New Zealand, Ruia Morrison, became the first Maori woman to participate in a Grand Slam tournament. So since 2020, the ASB classic, the committee decided to honor the champions with a Korowai representing prestige in leadership in the Maori. They have named the honor after the actual culture.
Coco Gauff gets the Korowai after Serena Williams.
She took to her Instagram and shared a picture of herself wearing the Korowai. And wrote, “Also, an honor to be able to wear the Korwai during the trophy ceremony A. It is worn as a mantle of prestige and honor. It is a symbol of leadership. I am beyond grateful to be presented this after the match and honored to take part in the Maouri tradition.”
Serena Williams had also received the Korowai.
Serena Williams was the first tennis player honored with the Maouri tradition way after her victory back in 2020. And since then, this year, the 18-year-old followed her footstep and started her year in the best possible way ever.