Cori “Coco” Gauff, Professional Tennis Player

Coco Gauff's Activism and Leadership

• Missed a scheduled training session following the death of George Floyd to process the event and listen before acting.
• Articulated a stance that racial justice is "an everyone against racism issue," urging allies to participate regardless of race to build "strength in numbers."
• Encourages individuals of all background sizes to use their platforms, noting that talking to 50 people can exponentially grow a message through word-of-mouth.
• Shares a family incident where her father was mistaken for a criminal by police in Atlanta, subjected to life-threatening force, and denied justice due to a lack of officer identification.
• Identifies "representation" as a critical tool for change, citing the Williams Sisters as the visual inspiration for her entry into tennis and hoping to serve a similar role for young Black girls.
• Advises organizations to address racial inequality by expanding diverse hiring practices and publicly displaying workforce diversity to inspire future generations.
• States that her off-court advocacy fuels her on-court performance, providing a sense of "fire" and purpose.

Tennis Career Origins and Development

• Parents, both college athletes, enrolled her in multiple sports (basketball, track, gymnastics, soccer) before she discovered tennis at a summer camp in Atlanta.
• Moved to Florida to pursue tennis professionally after realizing her passion during the camp.
• Was inspired by the Williams Sisters for their on-court power, off-court business ventures, and status as pioneers who changed the game.
• Founded a support system through the Champ Seed Foundation after meeting coach Patrick Mouratoglou in Paris at age 10.
• Acknowledges the pressure of being the "youngest" to achieve major milestones, viewing her career as a "marathon rather than a sprint" to manage external expectations.

Wimbledon Victory and Future Outlook

• Won her first match at Wimbledon against Venus Williams in the first round, a result she described as a "dream" and a "shock."
• Experienced sleeplessness and high anxiety prior to the match due to the magnitude of the opponent and the prestige of Centre Court.
• Defers to Billie Jean King's advice to use one's voice for justice and balance professional life with personal values.
• Predicts playing without fans at the upcoming U.S. Open will benefit her, citing her experience with quiet junior matches and the likelihood of her team providing supportive noise.
• Confirmed intent to practice daily during the pandemic and expressed a strong desire to resume international travel and competition.

Personal Insights (Lightning Round)

• Favorite non-tennis sport: Basketball.
• Pre-match music: "Icon" by Jaden Smith.
• Surprising fact: Capable of walking on her hands due to gymnastics training.
• Key advice: Former First Lady Michelle Obama advised her that it is acceptable to say "no" to requests to protect personal time and mental health.