After securing her first Wimbledon win against Anca Todoni on Wednesday, Coco Gauff, who is currently the No. 2 ranked female player, had nothing but high praise for Andy Murray and his mother Judy.
In 2005, Murray marked his first appearance at Wimbledon, but unfortunately, he won’t be able to participate in the upcoming singles campaign of the tournament. The reason behind his absence is an unsuccessful surgery to remove a spinal cyst.
In both 2013 and 2016, the Championships at Wimbledon were won by a 37-year-old, who is now hailed as the first British player to achieve this feat since Fred Perry in 1936.
Murray’s impact on the sport extends beyond his on-court achievements. His off-court legacy and influence on the next generation of players may leave an even greater mark on his career. Among those who have recognized the profound impact of Murray and his mother on the sport is the current US No. 1.
During a conversation with reporters, Gauff mentioned that she recently saw a video where Federer corrected reporters on statistics. As a female player, she has often noticed instances where people incorrectly attribute certain achievements to male players, despite the fact that female players have accomplished the same feat in the past. Gauff stated that she has personally experienced this, where people claim that a male player was the first to do something when in reality, she or other female players have already accomplished it.
“I have tremendous admiration for him and his mother for their contributions towards promoting equality in women’s sports. In my opinion, his legacy is defined by his unwavering fighting spirit. What inspires me the most about him is the fact that he always gives his 100% on the court, be it the prestigious Centre Court or a less renowned ITF court.”
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“It’s a real shame that he couldn’t have one final healthy match, as he deserved to end his career on his own terms. Wishing him the best of luck in his upcoming doubles match with his brother. He is truly an icon in the world of sports and has had an unbelievable career that many aspire to have.”
Although Murray won’t be participating in the singles tournament, he’s not leaving the court just yet. He’ll be teaming up with his brother Jamie in the doubles, with whom he won the Davis Cup in 2015. Additionally, he’ll be playing in the mixed doubles event alongside the 2021 US Open champion, Emma Raducanu.
As for Gauff, she managed to steer clear of another disappointing loss like last year when she was knocked out in the opening round. She looked back on how she used that experience to change her approach and mentality for this year’s tournament.
The 20-year-old shared that she has gained a lot of knowledge about life in general. As one gets older, they tend to learn more, and she has experienced the same. She acknowledged that although she is passionate about what she does, it is not always as serious as the world makes it out to be. There are times when the pressure and expectations can be overwhelming. However, she understands that it is just a game, a sport, and she feels blessed to have the opportunity to play.
