Coco Gauff ‘honoured’ to open Arthur Ashe Stadium for Serena Williams

Coco Gauff made sure to pay tribute to the great Serena Williams after herself making it to the third round of the US Open for the second time in her young career. 

The 18-year-old defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) in the second day session match on Arthur Ashe Stadium before Serena took to the court to kick off the night session.

“I know she plays again tonight, so it’s an honour to I guess open up the court for her. At least that’s what I’m going to say,” she said in her on-court interview. “I don’t know if I’m going to stay [and watch] or not, depends on what time I’m going to play doubles tomorrow!”

Gauff is playing the women’s doubles alongside world number eight and fellow American Jessica Pegula. The teen talent recently became the doubles world number one, and reached the final of last year’s US Open with Caty McNally.

The singles world number 12 then spoke more about watching matches and how generally, it is not the most fun experience for her.

“I don’t really watch a lot of matches live, because usually I go when I see my friends [play] and I get really nervous,” she explained. “Same with Serena, I get really nervous. So I don’t know if I can take any more stress for myself and her.

“But since it’s maybe the last tournament for her, or at least maybe the last US Open, I have to experience it. And I just want to thank Serena.”

Gauff has never been beyond the third round of the US Open and must come through 2017 finalist Madison Keys to get there. Keys won their last encounter, coming in Adelaide in January.

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