American teenager Cori “Coco” Gauff is solidifying her status as the next Serena Williams by advancing to the semi-finals of the French Open. At just 17 years old, Gauff has achieved a remarkable feat, becoming only the third American in 56 years to reach multiple women’s singles semi-finals at Roland Garros before turning 21. Her impressive performance at the French Open includes a comeback victory against eighth seed Ons Jabeur, setting up a highly anticipated match against world number one Iga Swiatek.

Gauff’s ascent in the tennis world is remarkable, with her latest accomplishment making her the first American woman aged 20 or younger to reach three consecutive major semi-finals since Serena Williams in 2002. For Gauff’s father, Corey, this milestone holds special significance, as it was Serena’s success that initially inspired his daughter to pursue tennis. Recalling a moment from Gauff’s childhood, Corey shared how watching Serena win a match on TV prompted his daughter to express her desire to follow in the tennis star’s footsteps.

Despite her young age, Gauff’s journey to tennis stardom began early, with her talent evident from a young age. At just nine years old, she portrayed a young Serena Williams as a body double and adorned her bedroom wall with a poster of the tennis icon. However, it was Venus Williams, Serena’s older sister, who played a pivotal role in Gauff’s career. Gauff’s move to Florida at the age of seven marked the beginning of her journey to the top of the tennis world. By the age of 13, she became the youngest girl to reach the US Open Girls Final, foreshadowing her future success.

Gauff’s breakout moment on the global stage came at Wimbledon, where she entered as a wild card entrant ranked 272nd. Despite the odds stacked against her, Gauff navigated through qualifying rounds and stunned the world by defeating Venus Williams in her Grand Slam singles debut. Her remarkable journey to the top of tennis is a testament to her talent, determination, and unwavering commitment to her craft. As Gauff continues to make waves in the tennis world, her future appears bright, with the potential to follow in the footsteps of her idol, Serena Williams.