Coco Gauff stands up for Serena Williams in Drake vs Kendrick Lamar debate amid bizarre diss aimed at American legend

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).

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."