The tennis world was shocked when Serena Williams announced her retirement after playing her final match at the US Open. Many thought the end of the era would see the excitement come to an end, but little did they know that something special was cooking. Coco Gauff, a 19-year-old prodigy, has managed to step into Serena’s shoes with surprising ease. However, with talent comes expectations and pressure. Speaking about the same, Coco Gauff’s coach, Pere Riba, has highlighted how Coco, despite being just 19 years old, has managed to handle it all.

Currently playing in the US Open, she is just one step away from laying her hands on her first-ever Grand Slam title.

Coco Gauff’s coach hails the 20-year-old for effortlessly stepping into Serena Williams’ shoes

Coco Gauff, the young tennis sensation, has faced immense pressure as people saw her as the next Serena Williams. Her coach, Pere Riba, acknowledges that this burden weighed on her from a very young age. However, what’s truly amazing is how she’s handled it all.

She felt uneasy about living up to such high expectations in her early years. But now, she’s different. She’s become more confident and mentally strong. Riba believes that this mental strength has propelled her forward, even when she didn’t realize it.

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“She’s had to deal with that since she was a little girl,” Riba says in an interview with El Pais, “but she handles it very well. She’s a very mature girl for her age, and she has her feet on the ground. Before she was a little uneasy, but now she’s more confident, and she feels strong, and when you feel strong mentally, you make progress unconsciously.”

Coco Gauff has shown that she’s not just handling it; she’s thriving under this pressure. She’s on her way to creating her own legacy in the world of tennis. Currently playing in the US Open, she made history as she joined the legendary Serena Williams in an elite list.

Also read: Just Days After Giving Herself a Voguish Makeover, Coco Gauff Aims to Step Back and Replicate the Iconic Style of Idol Serena Williams

Coco Gauff joins Serena Williams on an elite list

Throughout her life, Coco Gauff has seen Serena Williams as her idol. Growing up, she admired the 23-time Grand Slam winner and emulated her style of play. Soon, the effect became visible as she knocked out her opponents just as the 41-year-old Serena would do.

Playing in the US Open, she joined an elite list featuring the likes of Serena Williams. The American sensation made her way into the finals and became the youngest woman to reach the finals after Serena Williams did it in 2001.

Thus, Coco Gauff has stood up to the expectations as she sends shockwaves through the tennis world. With just one step remaining in her first US Open conquest, she would be willing to give her all and win the trophy for the first time.

Watch this story: Distressing Serena Williams Reality Leaves Gaping Void That’s Nearly Impossible to Fill for Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek