Coco Gauff’s Father Reveals What His 5YO Saw in Serena Williams That Sparked It All

Back in 2023, when Coco Gauff was navigating a challenging clay season and an early Wimbledon exit, her father remained her steady anchor. In fact, long before her US Open triumph later that year, Corey Gauff was there, supporting her daughter. As she credits the major chunk of her successful career to her father, Coco Gauff once mentioned, “My dad is captain.” Indeed, Corey Gauff has been a captain of his daughter’s ship ever since she was a 5-year-old kid dreaming of becoming a tennis star. Perhaps, not just her father but Serena Williams also played a pivotal role in inspiring the 5-year-old Gauff to navigate the oceanic world of Tennis. 

And who’d be better to narrate the tale of ‘how Williams paved the way for Gauff’s career’ than Corey Gauff himself!

On May 19th, on the official YouTube channel of Rolex, titled “Rolex presents: Coco Gauff – Game Changer,” Coco Gauff’s journey to stardom was beautifully narrated by her father, Corey Gauff. The video illuminated both the pivotal moments of her ascent and the profound inspiration fueling her early passion for tennis. The 53-year-old recounted, “I remember, she’s about five or six, watching the Australian Open and Serena wins. I remember saying, ‘She’s going to be the GOAT.’ She said, ‘What is the GOAT?’ I said, ‘Greatest Of All Time.’” Following that, Gauff told her father that she wants to be a GOAT too.

The next thing that Corey Gauff did was to buy a racket for the 5-year-old Coco: “I ran out and bought her a racket. That’s how it all started,” the 53-year-old stated. Ever since then, the young Tennis prodigy, Coco Gauff has been unstoppable.

Beyond her results, Gauff’s on-court presence and evolving style have become hot topics in the tennis world. Many see shades of the iconic Williams sisters in her game and demeanor as well. Fittingly, the icon herself, Serena Williams, played a key role in sparking Gauff’s love for the sport, setting her on this remarkable journey till now.

Even long before this heartfelt video, Corey had opened up during an episode of “The Sit-Down Podcast” about the moment that sparked his daughter’s tennis journey. He divulged that Serena Williams’ decisive victory against Justine Henin at the 2010 Australian Open served as the catalyst. “I was watching Serena actually win here when Coco was five years old,” he recalled. Motivated by that victory, he and his wife decided to buy a racket for young Coco. “I thought that maybe she would be a good tennis player. I knew she’d be a pretty good athlete, but just wasn’t sure what sport it would be,” he added. The story reflects Corey’s steadfast belief in his daughter’s potential as well as how Serena Williams served as the ultimate symbol of greatness. 

And now, on the court in France, Coco Gauff is preparing to unleash her full potential at Roland Garros, aiming to capture her 2nd GS title. Backed by $10.7 billion in support and driven by a dream rooted in greatness, she’s laser-focused on what truly matters, chasing legacy at the highest level!

“An irrepressible drive,” Coco Gauff Receives Unshakable Backing From Rolex Ahead of the Parisian Clay Quest

A sophisticated accessory complemented Coco Gauff’s triumph at the 2023 US Open: a burgundy-dialed Rolex Oyster Perpetual, a rare model absent from public view for a decade, which elegantly matched her championship ensemble. Reflecting on the moment, the 19-year-old then said, “I had dreamt of winning a Grand Slam and the moment was even better than I could have ever imagined.” With her sights set on 2024, she made her ambition clear: “For sure, my goal next year is to win another, and to represent Rolex and women’s tennis at the same time is a huge honour.”

Though that 2nd Slam has yet to arrive, Gauff’s grit remains unshaken. However, Rolex, standing firmly behind her, underscored this very spirit in a powerful video shared on their official IG just days before the French Open.

The $10.7 billion brand posted a compelling montage starting with a young Gauff being asked: “Tell me about your ambitions in tennis?” What follows is a vivid highlight reel of her journey, capturing her US Open victory and unwavering drive. The brand captioned the post, “An irrepressible drive. From her beginnings in Delray Beach, Florida, to winning a first Grand Slam® title at age 19, @cocogauff has brought grit, poise and passion to her every move, on and off the court.”

Their message concluded with a royal declaration as well: “We are honoured to accompany this tennis phenomenon on her inspiring journey. REACH FOR THE CROWN.” 

As their partnership, which began in 2019, continues to thrive, all eyes now turn to Paris, where Gauff’s resurgence signals she may be ready to wear the next crown on the red dirt. A firm belief from Rolex? Of course, she believes as well!