Coco Gauff reveals how Serena & Venus Williams ‘made a difference’ to her as young player

Coco Gauff has opened up about how Serena and Venus Williams “made a difference” to her at the start of her burgeoning tennis career.

American star Gauff has already achieved huge success on the court, winning her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open in 2023 and reaching a career-high of world No 2 this summer.

However, the 20-year-old – the winner of eight WTA singles titles – has opened up in a video produced by Baker Tilly about how “difficult” it was to navigate the world of tennis during her youth.

Speaking in the video, Gauff revealed how being black in the sport can me you “stick out like a sore thumb” – but credited sporting icons Serena and Venus for the impact they made on her.

“What makes me unique? I mean we’re all one of one, so we’re all unique,” said the world No 3.

“There’s never going to be another one of me and there’s never going to be another one of anybody.

“That’s a cool thing to think about… Finding myself was difficult. Being Black in tennis is, sometimes you do stick out like a sore thumb.