Coco Gauff, who’s having a gala time after winning the first round of the Mutua Madrid Open tournament, received a special gift from her icon Zendaya. The Dune actress not only praised Gauff’s resilience but revealed the reason why she is so bedazzled by the reigning US Open champion’s charm.

The Emmy-winning actress recently attended a talk show where she spoke to host Tracy Austin about her admiration for Coco Gauff. Austin asked Zendaya about what qualities of the 2023 U.S. Open women’s title winner inspired her. Surprising the fraternity, Zendaya said, “well, you know, I mean many things. But also she’s so young and I can’t, you know, I guess I relate to her in the sense that I was very young when I started in this industry. So, I guess I relate to the idea of pressure and you know, having all eyes on you. But then in many ways, I can’t imagine the shoes that she has to walk and as a tennis player, as a professional athlete, it’s ummm…”

Zendaya revealed one particular scene from her Challengers movie to show what she feels about Gauff’s success. She said, “I remember when we were shooting our US Open stuff at the King Centre and I remember the absolute terrified and I’m just pretending you know, I remember feeling nervous and like sweating and like the whole thing and I wasn’t actually playing. There was no stakes so I could only imagine and I am so impressed by her you know her composure and her strength and poise, like I said she is so young and so when I see young people who are in the public space, I just feel particularly protective and loved.” 

Now, delighted Gauff not only dropped heart emojis on the comment box but shared this on her Instagram story with an adorable caption, “When one of your role models says this about you. this means so much seriously thank you.”

Zendaya’s statements revealed that Coco Gauff’s indomitable spirit moved this famous actress. She previously mentioned her wish to meet Gauff at the Challengers LA premiere.

Zendaya says “I love Coco” at the Challengers LA premiere

Challengers movie’s protagonist Tashi Duncan aka Zendaya surprised the fraternity when she expressed equal enthusiasm to meet Coco Gauff. Responding to a reporter on the carpet, Zendaya said– “I love Coco [Gauff], I haven’t met her yet, but I sure hope so! I know Brad’s [Brad Gilbert, the film’s tennis consultant] her coach, so I’m like, ‘I want to meet her!'” Zendaya also congratulated this American tennis star when she bagged her US Open title last year. Gauff mentioned receiving a heavy flower bouquet from the actress as a token of love.

Nevertheless, Zendaya’s revelation about Coco Gauff delighted the fraternity. More than that, Coco Gauff’s overwhelming response to this statement showed fans how tennis brings people closer. Everybody absolutely enjoyed this heartwarming moment in Gauff’s life.