"Taylor made it super fun" - Gauff on exhibition match against Townsend at Atlanta Open

World No.11 Coco Gauff took some time out of her hard-court preparation to take part in an exhibition event at the Atlanta Open, an ATP 250 event held in Atlantic Station.

The 18-year-old faced compatriot and Atlanta resident Taylor Townsend in the first of two exhibition matches on Sunday night. Gauff prevailed 6-3 6-3 in an exciting yet wholesome atmosphere.

"I think it was a great performance," said Gauff. "Had a lot of fun, wasn't sure how it was going to be tonight. Taylor made it super fun. These matches have to be with the right person and I think Taylor was the right person."

In front of a packed stadium, Gauff and Townsend wowed the crowd with their shot-making. Inspiration was the theme of the night, as Gauff debuted a new pair of New Balance shoes that bore a phrase that Gauff has held dear to her heart: "You can change the world with your racket."

"Since I was younger, my dad told me I could change the world with my racquet," Gauff said at the French Open this spring, where, after winning her semifinal match, she signed the camera 'Peace. End gun violence'.

"He didn't mean that by just playing tennis. He meant speaking out on issues like this. The first thing my dad said to me after I got off court was, 'I'm proud of you and I love what you wrote on the camera.' I think my parents support me when talking about issues like this."