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Coco Gauff avoided an uncomfortable, unprofessional question at the French Open as the 17-year-old star was compared to the Williams sisters by a journalist.
The American first burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old when she sent Venus Williams packing at Wimbledon. She then repeated the result at last year’s Australian Open.
At Roland Garros, she will pair up with the older Williams sister in the doubles.
It prompted a question that left the tennis world shaking their head.
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“You are often compared to the Williams sisters,” the journalist started, according to the press conference transcript.
“Maybe it’s because you’re Black. But I guess it’s because you’re talented and maybe American too. We could have a final between you and Serena. Is it something you hope for?
“I mean, 22 years separate you girls.”
Gauff showed incredible maturity with her answer.
“Yeah, I mean, playing Serena in the final would be great (smiling),” Gauff said. “That’s the dream that I have always dreamed about, playing her in a final.
“But yeah, I mean, people compare me to them a lot, and I think it’s a compliment, but for me I just focus on being myself because I’m never going to be Serena Williams and Serena will never be me because we are two different people. We have two different brains.
“I understand why people compare us, but I think it’s just important that I want to be known as Coco. I don’t want to be known as Serena Williams’ heir, or Serena Williams’ next thing.
“I just want to be known as Coco Gauff.”
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