Coco Gauff stands up for Serena Williams in Drake vs Kendrick Lamar debate amid bizarre diss aimed at American legend
WTA
Coco Gauff
weighed in for Serena Williams amid the public dispute between Drake and
Kendrick Lamar. The 2023 US Open champion was asked about her opinion on the
rap rivalry dominating American entertainment news.
The world
No. 2 successfully debuted at the Rome Open on Thursday, defeating Magdalena
Frech (No. 55) 6-3, 6-4, advancing to the third round where she will face
Jaqueline Cristian (No. 68).
Gauff criticizes Drake for his 'disdain' towards Serena
The
20-year-old tennis player commented in a post-match press conference that,
regarding her musical taste, she prefers Kendrick Lamar: "To be honest,
yeah, I like Kendrick's songs more. Yeah, I think pretty much everybody I know
is leaning towards him," said Gauff, 20. "I do like Drake as an
artist, as well. But, yeah, as far as the rap battle that's going on, the rap
beef, I think definitely Kendrick is winning."
"And
referring to the previous fallout with Williams, she added: "Also Drake,
like, dissed Serena so I have to go with Kendrick. Kendrick defended her. So,
yeah, I have to go with him," she added.
The iconic
rapper had a close friendship with the 23-times Grand Slam champion and they
had a romantic relationship in 2010. After Serena married Alexis Ohanian in
2017, the Canadian mocked the couple in his track 'Middle of the Ocean':
“Sidebar,
Serena, your husband a groupie, he claim we don’t got a problem but no, boo, it
is like you comin’ for sushi.” The line was perceived as being a dig at
Internet entrepreneur Ohanian, implying he followed his wife around like a
fan," which was perceived as an indirect jab at Ohanian, an internet
entrepreneur and co-founder of Reddit.
Shortly
after, Ohanian responded humorously by posting a photo on X of himself and his
daughter Olympia: "The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless
about being the absolute best at whatever I do — including being the best
groupie for my wife and daughter."
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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