Coco Gauff, who stunned defending champ Naomi Osaka at Australian Open, prays for her opponents
Cori “Coco” Gauff continues her stellar run by upsetting defending champ Naomi Osaka with a 6-3, 6-4 victory to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open.
It took 67 minutes for the 15-year-old American tennis sensation to beat the third-seeded Osaka. She couldn’t even believe her win. Coco is the youngest woman to beat a top-five opponent since 1991. At age 13, she was the youngest U.S. Open junior girls finalist.
“Two years ago, I lost first round in juniors. And now I’m here. This is crazy. Oh my gosh, I’m on Rod Laver Arena, like, I can’t believe this,” she said.
“Honestly, like, what is my life?”@CocoGauff can barely believe she just defeated Naomi Osaka on @RodLaverArena.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/xM7lDWYDsU
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2020
Coco says the Williams sisters are one of her biggest inspirations.
Serena Williams also played Friday but lost, after being shocked in the third round by Wang Qiang.
Coco has beat Venus Williams and Sorana Cîrstea to reach this stage. Next, she’ll face fellow American Sophia Kenin, who is seeded 14th—but not before she completes her homework. Coco says she will most likely get to it tomorrow, “because I want to go to sleep tonight.”
While many Americans are celebrating Coco’s big win, most don’t know about her faith. Prior to hitting the court, she thanks God for the opportunity and prays for her opponent.
⭐⭐⭐
The moment when rising star @CocoGauff clinched match point against 2019 champion Naomi Osaka.#AO2020 | #AusOpen | @channel9 | @espn pic.twitter.com/zVDOlvNEl8
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 24, 2020
“Before every match since I was 8, my dad and I say a prayer together,” Gauff told The New York Times in July 2019. “We don’t really pray about victory, just that me and my opponent stay safe.”
Corey Gauff is Coco’s father and coach. He and his family, who are from Delray Beach, Florida, attend church there. Coco sings in the choir.
In previous matches, the tennis prodigy could be seen praying in her chair or FaceTiming family to hear prayers from her pastor, congregation, and loved ones.
“Win or lose I think I was going to be satisfied with today’s match,” she said during the press conference.
Does reading about faith inspire you? Do you have a story or information about your faith you want to share? Tell us more!
Discover More:
