After Coco Gauff’s inspiring run to last year’s U.S. Open title, she’s drawing inspiration from another woman: Vice President Kamala Harris.
After Coco Gauff’s inspiring run to last year’s U.S. Open title, she’s drawing inspiration from another woman: Vice President Kamala Harris.
Gauff said it doesn’t matter who you’re voting for, or if you’re voting at all.
Speaking in a stadium named after Arthur Ashe and just a few hundred yards from a statue of Althea Gibson, she cited the candidacy of Harris — daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants — as a sign of racial progress.
“It’s really incredible. No matter who you’re voting for, who you stand for, it’s really incredible to see how far this country has come [for] people of color, black people,” Gauff said. “It’s really inspiring to see someone on that ballot. Honestly, it takes the works of many others to pave the way and I’m excited that I’m able to see this in my lifetime because I know many others didn’t get that chance to.”
Gauff met with former president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, on her way to winning last year’s U.S. Open, her first Grand Slam title.
That victory also led her to a brief congratulatory meeting with Harris, as well, though the 20-year-old would love a longer talk with Harris, seeking to become the first female U.
