What COCO GAUFF told her “idol” Serena Williams that got fans celebrating her Olympics victory already…

Coco Gauff is preparing for one of the most special moments of her career and the 20-year-old used that opportunity to pay a very nice tribute to her idol Serena Williams.

If Gauff doesn’t experience a brutal fate like was the case three years, she will get to fulfill her childhood dream of playing at the Olympics. In 2021, everything was ready for Gauff to be an Olympian at the age of 17 but then a positive COVID test ruined everything.

While it was one of the most heartbreaking and devastating moments of Gauff’s career, she has since managed to achieve great things in the game and make the last couple of years a very successful period. And ahead of her Olympic debut – where the top-ranked American female tennis player is hoping for a medal – the 20-year-old penned a letter to her 17-year-old-self, in which she reflected on her past couple of years and that includes forming a friendship with one of the greatest players ever.

“While tennis is an individual sport, you relish the relationships with your teammates. You’ve been lucky enough that your on-court relationships have turned into off-court friendships. One of those notable friendships is with your idol, Serena Williams,” Gauff’s letter posted on the NBC Olympic reads.

“Serena was once just a stranger printed on a poster hanging in your room, and now you still can’t believe she’s a friend and mentor. Her profound impact on tennis, what it means to be a champion and to break barriers is a legacy you hope to uphold and carry with you into your first Olympic Games.”

Gauff has a clear goal in her mind
Throughout this year, world No. 2 Gauff has repeated several times that winning a medal at the Paris Olympics is one of her biggest goals and targets for this year. And since the 2023 US Open champion has been one of the best and most consistent players over the last year, there is no doubt that she will be a favorite at the Paris Olympics and also one of the strongest contenders for a medal.

But that won’t be Gauff’s lone chance at a medal since she is also set to play in the women’s doubles event with Jessica Pegula. While they don’t play doubles regularly, they have been one of the best top teams when they share the same side of the net. That makes Gauff and Pegula one of the top contenders for a medal.

While nothing is confirmed, there are also indications that the 20-year-old American will play in the mixed doubles event.

“In your phone under your vision notes, you wrote that you want to win a medal at the Olympics. Gold, silver, bronze – it doesn’t matter. But you’ve already won, you’ve made your childhood dream of playing at the Olympics, representing the United States, a real reality. And now, finally, you get to enjoy it,” Gauff shared in the latter.