American teen Coco Gauff said she had planned to cheer for Serena Williams from the stands after advancing deep into the second round of the US Open on Monday. Gauff, one of the African-American players who credit Williams to their career inspiration, scored by beating France’s Leolia Jeanjean 6-2, 6-3 in the first game of their career. she. But while most tennis players will hustle back to their luxury Manhattan hotel to rest and recuperate, Gauff revealed after her win she’ll be hanging around to catch Williams at the end Monday in the match could be her last Grand Slam. Williams has signaled she plans to retire after this year’s US Open.
18-year-old Gauff initially decided to watch Williams’ first-round match on television, but changed her mind following Monday’s Arthur Ashe Stadium win.
“When I think about it, I’m like, ‘I have to see.’ I’m so excited and you know, to be honest, we don’t watch the matches very often,” Gauff said.
“But for Serena, of course, but for all she’s done in her career, I don’t know if this will be her last.
“I hope not. I hope that she wins and that she moves on. Overall, either way, with everything she’s accomplished, I’m sure it’s going to be an emotional night. for everyone.
“I’ve been going to the US Open since I was 8 years old, every year, never missed a year. Going from watching to competing, it was great… So then I was like this was the game. her last. It feels like I’m eight years old wanting to see this. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Williams’ influence on Gauff’s style can be seen in her work in destroying Jeanjean, as she uses a formidable game of serving and powerful blows to overwhelm the French.
Gauff won with a service break in the second set, converting the match point when she hit a forehand down the line after trapping Leolia on the opposite side of the court.
Gauff lost just two points on her first serve in an impressive performance that was also her first win at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Anytime you can win a match, it’s a good day,” Gauff said. “I was nervous going in today but once my nerves settled I had a lot of fun out there.
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“I didn’t even know I lost two points on the first serve. Sometimes I try to hit as hard as I can.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the syndication feed.)
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