Coco Gauff has soared into the quarter-finals of the French Open, and in doing so has accomplished a feat that only Venus Williams can match.
The young American is making history with every move she makes, and at just 21 years old, has so much time to grow her legacy further.
So young yet so supremely gifted, it’s a testament to her talent that she is already a mainstay in the latter stages of almost every Grand Slam event, with this one no different.
In fact, it is this freakishly youthful consistency that has seen her draw level with Venus in one particularly interesting statistic, which Gauff has since commented on.
Coco Gauff reacts to matching Venus Williams record
Interviewed by Tennis Channel after her match earlier today, the presenter put this new record to her to gauge her reaction.
He informed her that, in reaching her fifth quarter-final at Roland Garros, she had become the youngest player to do that since Venus Williams managed the feat at the US Open in 2001.
Described as a ‘remarkable record’, Gauff replied: ‘Yeah I think I just love playing in Paris. It’s my favourite city, it’s great to have good results here.
‘I try to be here as long as possible and to have that record, especially alongside Venus, is pretty cool. One of the greatest players to play our sport so anytime I’m in a stat line with her, Serena, Chrissy, any of the great ones, is pretty cool.’
Gauff also agreed with Ben Shelton’s claims about Roland Garros and the improvements made by the tournament this year in particular.
Coco Gauff is carving through her opposition at Roland Garros
It’s remarkable how well Gauff has brushed aside any critiques aimed at her heading into the French Open, and seems to be just going about her business with minimal fuss.
After all, the narrative after her losses in the final of Madrid and Rome was that her forehand and serve were too error-strewn to allow her to compete here in the French capital.
However, she has put those fears aside with four comprehensive victories, having yet to drop a single set.
Now set to face another American in the quarter-finals for a spot in the semis, it’s an exciting time to be following US tennis.
Gauff remains the leader spearheading this takeover.
