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‘Don’t Feel Like I Have to Fill Any Shoes’- 18-Year-Old Coco Gauff Quickly Sweeps Aside Serena Williams’ Comparison With a Detached Life Philosophy

Published 01/03/2023, 7:28 AM EST

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Coco Gauff, the young American star, talked about the enormous impact the legend, Serena Williams, had on her tennis career. The 18-year-old American sensation asserted that Serena Williams‘ portrayal of an African-American woman who held down a long-term position at the top of the globe resonated with her. In the interview, she shared her views on being compared to the next Serena Williams in making.


Gauff underlined the 23-time Grand Slam winner’s influence over three generations to bolster her claims. Gauff claims that  Williams defied expectations as a woman by refusing to accept anything less. She recently opened up, in an interview, about her desire to carry on Venus and Serena Williams’ legacy.

Gauff shares details about her comparison with Serena Williams

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Coco Gauff credited the Williams sisters with piquing her interest in the activity. Gauff said that she wanted to share Serena Williams’ impact on her with future generations. Gauff stressed how important it is to follow one’s aspirations and stay away from unwanted pressures. According to the New Zealand Herald, Gauff, who is frequently compared to Serena Williams, is aware of these comparisons. However, she is determined to find her place in the sport rather than try to be the “next anyone.

via Imago

Gauff has dwelled with tremendous expectations for most of her life. The American has certainly never thought about it like that. Gauff shared, “I feel like, I and Serena aren’t even on a comparison level. She’s the GOAT and I’m still trying to figure my way.” 

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Coco Gauff Joins an Elite Club Featuring Serena Williams as She Makes Ranking History Following US Open Success

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Gauff shared that people have always compared her to Williams since she was probably eight years old. Gauff shared, “So it’s not something that adds pressure. I feel like because I’ve just dealt with it my whole life it seems almost normal to me and doesn’t feel like I have to fill any shoes. Because I’ve always had the idea and philosophy.”

Gauff once shared how she steers clear of Williams-like expectations

Gauff had already acknowledged in front of the media that she never focuses on ranking. She thinks her father and his discipline brought her up that way. She doesn’t give her standing a glance. Gauff thinks success for her would be topping the tennis world rankings.

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WATCH THIS STORY – Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff, and other WTA player’s maiden tour title

She also talked about what her real goal was. Gauff hopes to win additional Grand Slam competitions. Regardless of their position on the court, American thinks everyone has an equal chance of success. Gauff is extremely close, even though she isn’t thinking about it, and if she maintains her consistency, fans could see her at the top soon. Let us know what you think about the young tennis ace in your comments below.

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Written by:

Dr Aditya Raveendran Menon

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Aditya Menon is a Tennis Author at EssentiallySports. A dentist by profession, he developed an unbridled love for tennis from the moment his father introduced him to the sport. Watching Roger Federer dominate the ATP tour with his unique and effortless style played a pivotal role in pushing Aditya to write about tennis for national publications.
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Edited by:

Hitesh Nigam