Alexandra Stevenson: Stop Comparing Coco Gauff To Serena Williams
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “I was a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness.”
Today is MLK Day, a federal holiday. Kids are out of school in all 50 states, probably not understanding the impact of Mr. King.
ESPNW reposted photos titled “DejaVu In Australia” - comparing Coco Gauff and Serena Williams in action.
The photos from the 2016 and 2024 Australian Open show that the Gauff and Williams’ serves are remarkably different. Ask Brad Gilbert. The reposted photos show the forehands are not similar in technique.
The yellow outfits from a fashion perspective are not the same in design - yet the bright yellow color is magic for both of them.
What do they share about “Dejavu in Australia”? - the color of their skin. Black.
I know the comparison of skin color. During my career, I was compared to Serena and Venus in the early 2000s. I had a one-handed backhand, unlike their two hands. In 2019 and 2022, as a tennis commentator, I was introduced as Madison Keys - on air at ESPN.
The future will show more and more, the outspoken voice of Coco Gauff. She is not afraid to touch political issues. Serena never touched political issues - throughout most of her playing career.
Getting to know an athlete’s story is something I will be a “drum major” for - fighting for the right of Coco Gauff to be Coco Gauff.
Stop comparing her to Serena Williams because they share a type of skin color. Their stories and their games are individually unique.
Today on MLK day - remembering the history of the March on Washington 60 years ago - I can tell you that Coco and Serena are proud of their skin color. It’s wrong to compare the two of them as if you’re looking for similar characteristics. It will never happen.
The other day, at her press conference, Gauff said she doesn’t know if she will get double digits Grand Slams. Gauff has one Grand Slam - and, again - the media questions forced comparison to Serena’s astounding 23.
Let’s celebrate Coco Gauff at this Australian Open in 2024. She has shown she will sacrifice - not accepting compromise. She’ll stay the course as Coco Gauff.
On this MLK day, Gauff has her grandmother, Yvonne Lee Odom, to look to for inspiration. Odom was the first black student to integrate an all-white Florida high school in 1961.
