Paris 2024 Olympics: Coco Gauff exclusive on her impact beyond the court: 'I'm more than a tennis person'
Five years ago this month, a 15-year-old Coco Gauff announced herself on one of tennis’ greatest stages. The teenage qualifier, the youngest player in the draw, stunned five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the first before winning two more matches.
“Cocomania” ensued.
Fast forward five years and Gauff is one of the sport’s most established superstars, having won the US Open title in 2023, making her the first American teenager to capture a major since another Williams - Serena - in 1999.
But as the world No.2 turns her attention toward her debut Olympics at Paris 2024, she has also worked hard to keep things in perspective: Her role, the US flagbearer tells Olympics.com in an exclusive interview, is more than just that of an athlete.
“Tennis and trophies mean a lot to me, but the impact that you leave on people means more,” she says. “I just want to know that I left my print on this world in some way, shape or form, outside of just the things that I do on the tennis court.
“At the end of the day, I'm more than a tennis person: I'm a daughter. I'm a friend. I'm a black woman; U.S. citizen,” she continues. “I'm all of these things before I'm a tennis player. So I think if I can affect the world in some type of way... hopefully I try to do it in a positive way. It would mean a lot more.”
Gauff has no doubt already made a lasting impression that reaches her over 2.5 million followers on social media, where she has been unafraid to show the many layers of herself, from a modernised view on sport and success... to a silly, grounded young adult who loves a good TikTok dance trend and does well poking fun at her two younger brothers.
Just like any big sister.
Coco Gauff on her Olympic heroes: Allyson Felix & more
Gauff counts a host of Olympic champions as heroes, including American gymnasts Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas, as well as swimmers Katie Ledecky and Michael Phelps.
Her earliest Olympic memories?
“My earliest memory of the Olympic Games [are] probably growing up watching Usain Bolt,” Gauff says. “He's probably the most famous there is in track... [and] one of the most famous Olympic athletes of [all] sports.
While Gauff often talks of the inspiration she’s taken from Venus and Serena Williams (more on that below), she’s looked to the Olympic movement for inspiration in her young career.
“I would say Allyson Felix is probably the [Olympian] I looked up to the most,” Gauff reveals of the now-retired athletics superstar, a seven-time gold medallist.
“I think she's just an incredible athlete” Gauff says of Felix. “And seeing, you know, how her longevity and how dominant she was in the sport and... [she also was] a strong black female for us to look up to.”
It’s another reason why she doesn’t shy away from being asked about Venus and Serena, who Gauff feels like help further paved the way for young black women in tennis – and beyond.
From looking up to them as a kid to playing Venus at age 15 at Wimbledon to suiting up the the U.S. alongside them in Billie Jean King Cup action, Gauff has benefitted from the sisters’ longevity in the sport – especially seeing that she was born after each of them had already won a major... and Olympic gold.
“The Williams sisters are my biggest inspiration... and the reason why I play tennis,” she says. “I think [they’re] incredible. I think also they're the main reason why I wanted to try to compete in singles and doubles. Unfortunately, I don't have a sister that I could team up with, but I do have incredible other American girls that I can.”
'The Olympics is an important sport tradition'
One such “American girl” is Jessica Pegula, her fellow Top 10 singles star whom she has won five titles with, as well as reaching the Roland-Garros final with in 2022. They’re set to team up on the red clay again for Paris 2024, with a dream of landing on the podium not outside the realm of possibility.
Gauff will also play mixed doubles with Taylor Fritz.
“The goal one day is to, you know, win gold,” Gauff says bluntly about her Olympic aspirations. “And hopefully it can happen in Paris.”
While tennis has consumed her from a young age, the Gauff household is a multi-sport one, with her father Corey a star basketball player in college and her mother Candi a collegiate swimmer, as well. It might help partly explain Coco’s affinity for the Olympic Games.
Which is strong.
“I think honestly the Olympics is an important sporting tradition that I hope never, never goes away,” Gauff says. “Because it's the one time in sports where all types of different sports are competing basically under the same pretense and for the same results... the same reward.
“So I think that is very important that we continue to, you know, play in this event. You know, I know for tennis players it's difficult because it's in the middle of the season. But I think it's very important.”
It marks the first time the Olympics have been on red clay since Barcelona 1992.
“I don't know, it's just something about it,” Gauff adds of her Olympic wonderment. “I haven't played it yet, but I know I'll be so very proud to represent my country.”
LONDON, ENGLAND: Corey and Candi Gauff parents of Cori Gauff of The United States celebrate her winning the second set in her Ladies' Singles third round match against Polona Hercog of Slovenia during Day five of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 05, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Coco Gauff eyes for success at Paris 2024
Gauff knows her own schedule is going to be tight. A weeklong tennis event playing singles, doubles and mixed will give her no reprieve should she – as she hopes – go deep in all three draws, meaning she’ll have little time to enjoy the Olympics as a fan pre- or post-competition.
“If I have the chance, I would like to see track and field (athletics) and gymnastics, but I'm being realistic with the schedule: It probably won't be able to happen, because as soon as the Olympics is over, I have to go continue on with the rest of this season.”
Gauff will head to the US Open later in August to try and defend a Grand Slam title for the first time in her career, something she’s still not yet experienced.
But first, there’s a different first: The Olympics. Gauff had qualified for the team in 2021 but missed out after contracting Covid-19.
“I was really bummed,” she remembers. “I was really upset for... like a day? And then I had my sights set on 2024.”
She said earlier this year that she would like to step onto that podium – even eyeing gold in singles and doubles.
They’re not grandiose statements when they come from a Grand Slam champion.
“I’m really motivated to do well in Paris,” she says.
Cocomania 2.0? It certainly could be.