Coco Gauff has made history as the youngest American woman to win an Olympic singles match. ESPN reports that she is the first woman to achieve this since Venus Williams. Williams secured a singles win at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
At just 20 years old, Gauff clinched this milestone by defeating Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 6-0. Their first-round match lasted about 57 minutes. Before her match, Gauff had the honor of being the U.S. female flag bearer at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony. This made her the youngest American to receive this accolade.
In a statement shared with The Shade Room, Gauff clarified her intent to forge her own path rather than emulate Venus or Serena Williams. She noted, “I’m not trying to fulfill those footsteps whatsoever.” However, she expressed her commitment to self-improvement, stating, “but obviously, I do want to be the best version of myself and be the best that I can be.”
Gauff was unable to compete in the Tokyo Olympics due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. In July 2021, she tweeted her disappointment: “I am so disappointed to share the news that I have tested positive for COVID and won’t be able to play in the Olympic Games in Tokyo.” She added, “It has always been a dream of mine to represent the USA at the Olympics, and I hope there will be many more chances for me to make this come true in the future.”
Following her first Grand Slam victory at the 2023 US Open, Gauff addressed young athletes, saying, “I’ve always believed that age is just a number, and your dreams are there to be chased no matter how old you are.” She added, “This victory means the world to me, and I hope it inspires others to chase their dreams with determination and passion.”