
Coco Gauff Reveals How She’d Feel About Facing Venus Williams Again in a Competitive Match
Coco Gauff, the reigning U.S. Open champion and one of the brightest stars in tennis today, has opened up about how she’d feel if she ever finds herself across the net from Venus Williams in a competitive match again — and her answer reveals just how deep her respect and admiration for the legend runs.
In a recent interview, Gauff was asked what it would mean to face Venus again on the court, years after their unforgettable first-round clash at Wimbledon 2019 — the match that introduced the then-15-year-old Gauff to the world and made headlines across sports media. Gauff stunned the tennis world by defeating Venus, a five-time Wimbledon champion, in straight sets. It was a symbolic passing of the torch moment, but also one of personal importance for Gauff.
Reflecting on the possibility of a rematch in the future, Gauff said, “If I had to play Venus again in a match, I’d probably be just as emotional as I was the first time. She’s someone I’ve looked up to my entire life. It’s always surreal to share the court with someone who helped pave the way for you.”
Gauff emphasized that while her competitive nature wouldn’t allow her to take the match lightly, the emotional weight of playing against a pioneer like Venus would never fade. “It’s not just about tennis when I play Venus — it’s about legacy, about history, and about gratitude,” she added.
Now 21, Gauff has grown into a Grand Slam champion and a leader on and off the court, but she’s never lost sight of the role Venus Williams — and her sister Serena — played in opening doors for Black athletes in the sport. Their influence, Gauff has often stated, is part of the reason she picked up a racquet in the first place.
While Venus Williams, now in her 40s, is nearing the end of her legendary career, fans continue to dream of one last matchup between the icon and the rising star. Whether it happens or not, Gauff’s recent comments show that her respect for Venus transcends sport — and that any such match would be about far more than just points and sets. It would be about legacy coming full circle.
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