It was an honor to attend the 50th anniversary of the @WTA. @BJK and the Original 9 have paved the way for women across the globe to DREAM BIG. Let’s continue to drive the future of women’s sports with another successful 50 years! 🫶
Gauff uses speech at WTA 50th anniversary event to pay tribute to Serena Williams
WTASunday, 27 August 2023 at 07:00
America’s young tennis star Coco Gauff has paid tribute in a
speech to the former world number one Serena Williams.
The 41-year-old retired from professional tennis last year
in September and ended her career as one of the greatest of all time in the
history of women’s singles tennis, having won as many as 23 Grand Slam titles.
Gauff, in a speech during the 50-year celebration of the formation
of the WTA, paid homage to Serena and explained how the success of the former
world number one motivated her to play the game at the highest level.
“It feels a bit like I’ve walked into a women’s tennis
history book that has come to life,” said Gauff. “The WTA history that we all
celebrate, is about a tour founded by women who were unafraid, and carried on
by women who are empowered by the legacy we work every day to build upon.”
“In Serena Williams, I watched someone who dominated women’s
tennis in a way no one else has ever had. More importantly, I saw someone who
looked like me, and helped me believe I could achieve as I follow my own unique
path.
“These women, and so many others, were trailblazers, who
have given every generation after them the opportunity and the inspiration to
find our voices, and the global platform to speak out about issues that matter
to us.
“When I look at the WTA tour today, I see the hard work, the
drive, the passion, the determination to excel an continue to fight. And, I
hope that young girls watching us today will be as inspired by us as we were,
by many of you in this room. I want to wish the WTA a happy 50th. It’s been an
incredible ride so far, and I am very happy and grateful to be a part of the
WTA’s future.”
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