Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis sensation, continues to make waves both on and off the court. Following her recent cover feature in Vogue, Gauff has now graced the cover of TIME magazine’s May issue, solidifying her status as a rising star in the world of sports and beyond.
In an in-depth interview with TIME writer Sean Gregory, Gauff reflects on her journey from a promising junior to a global icon. She discusses the transition from adolescence to adulthood, acknowledging the shift in focus from external expectations to her own aspirations.
“At first, I was scared to grow up,” Gauff confides. “But now I’m embracing adulthood and womanhood.”
Gauff also shares personal experiences that have shaped her perspective. At age 12, she faced a racist incident at a junior tournament in France. While initially upset, she chose to move on, recognizing it as a reflection of societal ignorance rather than a defining moment.
“I just felt like that’s just something that people experience, which is not a great thing,” she says. “They just probably didn’t grow up around other people that looked different.”
At 15, Gauff attended her homecoming dance in Boca Raton, Florida, but already felt a disconnect from her peers.
“I just think I was at a maturity level different from the kids around me,” she explains. “No one has their life figured out at 15. But I, for the most part, did.”
Throughout her career, Gauff has consistently used her platform to advocate for issues she cares about. She remains committed to speaking out on matters of social justice and equality.
“I am not one to shy away from something that I feel informed about,” she asserts.
The article also explores Gauff’s evolution as a sporting and cultural icon. She discusses her on-court goals for 2024, including her aspirations for an Olympic medal in Paris.
“I want to win gold so bad,” she declares. “Representing the U.S. gives me goosebumps.”
Gauff is also eager to defend her US Open title later in the year.
“Sometimes people get unmotivated after winning one. That hasn’t been a personal challenge for me,” she says.
“My goal is to be relaxed and have fun and play with less pressure,” she adds. “I know people are going to start talking about defending the US Open title later on in the year. I’m not worried about that.”
