Coco Gauff is currently preparing for Wimbledon after competing in the 2023 French Open. The 19-year-old tennis player lost in the quarterfinals to Iga Swiatek, an opponent she has yet to defeat.
Gauff made her debut at Wimbledon in 2019. She defeated Venus Williams at just 15 years old, which garnered the attention of sports fans and celebrities alike.
Most recently, she received attention from Samuel L. Jackson, who congratulated her on her victory over Mirra Andreeva during the French Open.
“Dope display today! Big Up,” the actor tweeted at Gauff following her performance.
@CocoGauff dope display today! Big Up👊🏾👊🏾‼️💯
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) June 3, 2023
Gauff shared that she received support from another actor, Zendaya, who follows her on Instagram.
The tennis player says getting attention from Hollywood stars is always a surprise.
“I’ve been able to enjoy it a lot. It’s still very surreal to me, certain aspects and certain people and our celebrities kind of know who I am,” she told Sky Sports. “I mean, you know, Zendaya is doing a tennis movie and she follows me and I was like, freaking out. And Samuel L Jackson obviously.”
“It’s just like, it never feels real. I think people always ask will it feel real? It doesn’t,” she added. “I’m just grateful that I’m able to be surrounded by such successful people and I hope that it continues to rub off on me.”
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Could Zendaya have taken notes watching Coco Gauff compete? For her work on the upcoming movie Challengers by Luca Guadagnino, the actor trained for months to perfect her tennis skills. Liam Broady, a professional tennis player, noted her skill apparent in the trailer.
Gauff congratulated Zendaya and expressed excitement when the film trailer was released.
“yessss😍,” she commented under the actor’s Instagram post.
It isn’t the first time Gauff has received support from celebrities. Last year, the former first lady Michelle Obama took to social media to congratulate Gauff on graduating from high school, according to Sportskeeda.
A few years ago, she expressed her excitement on Instagram Live after receiving shout-outs from Jaden Smith, Snoop Dogg, Joel Embiid and Tina Knowles.
