She had to deal with a lot of things, like racial injustice” – Coco Gauff on her grandmother

Coco Gauff has shared an adorable glimpse into her grandmother Yvonne Lee Odom’s immense pride in her accomplishments. The 20-year-old showed off how her grandmother has preserved copies of her magazine covers, displaying them in her house.

Gauff is enjoying some quality time with family at her grandmother’s house ahead of her campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The World No. 2 will be on the hunt for her maiden Olympic medal upon her return to Roland Garros for the global sporting event.

Despite being just 20 years old, Coco Gauff has already graced the covers of renowned publications like Time magazine and Vogue. Her grandmother is evidently proud of the World No. 2’s achievements, as she has held on to both cover issues, displaying them in her house. The American showed off her grandmother’s adorable collection on social media.

“At my grandma’s house this is cool,” she posted on Instagram.

Coco Gauff enjoys a close relationship with her grandmother, having previously shared that her grandmother was one of the first people to wish her on her 20th birthday by adorably singing to her over the phone during her campaign at the 2024 Indian Wells Open.

The World No. 2 has also credited her grandmother for inspiring her to use her platform to speak up about important issues.

“Yeah, I think she’s probably “the” sole or one of the main reasons why I use my platform the way that I do and why I feel so comfortable speaking out,” she said during a press conference at the 2023 US Open.

It is no surprise that Coco Gauff is influenced by her grandmother, given that Yvonne Lee Odom made history as the first Black person to attend Seacrest High School in Florida.

The World No. 2 disclosed that her grandmother had to endure “racial justice” while leading integration in the previously all-white school. She also emphasized that her grandmother’s kindness to everyone, regardless of their background, was a source of inspiration for her.

“You know, for those who don’t know, she was the first Black person to go to, it was then called Seacrest High School. She was chosen to integrate that high school, and she had to deal with a lot of stuff,” she said in the same press conference.

“I think that happened like six months after Ruby Bridges did her integration. So, you know, she had to deal with a lot of things, like racial injustice. Her leading the way that she is and being so kind to everyone regardless of their background is something that I take inspiration from,” she added.

Coco Gauff’s grandmother’s influence on her was immediately evident to newscaster Robin Roberts as well. Earlier this year, Roberts disclosed that meeting Yvonne Lee Odom made it clear why the 20-year-old chose to advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement following George Floyd’s death in May 2020.