For 26 years, Serena Williams dominated the sport, bagging 23 Grand Slams and 73 titles. Then came Coco Gauff, another young African American star, who made history by winning her first Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open at just 19, becoming the youngest woman to ever claim the title. In her post-match press conference, Gauff didn’t hesitate to thank those who paved her way: “It’s an honor to be in that stat with Althea Gibson, Serena, Venus, Naomi, Sloane.. they paved the way for me to be here.” Today, ranked No. 3 in the world, Gauff continues to prove that she isn’t letting their efforts go unheard. Before the tennis world witnessed the Williams sisters, there was Althea Gibson.

Who is Althea? Well, Gibson was a trailblazing tennis icon who shattered racial barriers in the sport. In 1957, she became the first African American to win both Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals, catapulting her to the world’s top ranking by the end of that year. Her journey was remarkable, especially considering the era. During the 1940s and 1950s, tennis was deeply segregated, with major tournaments typically reserved for white players. Gibson’s breakthrough came in 1950 when she was finally invited to compete in the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association Grass Court Championships in New Jersey.

Despite these challenges, she persevered, paving the way for future generations of tennis players. Her legacy is a testament to her determination and talent, inspiring countless athletes, including Gauff. On Tuesday, she paid tribute to Gibson on Instagram, sharing a reel dedicated to the legend. This was shortly after her 2023 US Open achievement, where she noted, “Really incredible to see how far this country has come, and people of color and black people in general. It takes the works of many others to pave the way.” Gauff’s mother, Candi, also shared the reel on her Instagram story, celebrating both the tennis legend and her daughter’s achievement in the sport.

Since winning the US Open 2023, Coco Gauff has had quite a wild ride. After facing a tough dip in performance last year following her win at Auckland, she made a comeback in Beijing by winning the China Open and then went on to clinch the WTA Finals against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka!

This season, Gauff is yet to win a title, but she continues to shine as a brilliant player and person. Her contributions extend beyond the court, with a generous donation to support Black students pursuing education and competitive tennis through the UNCF.

Coco Gauff makes donates to help Black students during Black History Month

On February 5, the UNCF published a statement that Gauff pledged a $100,000 donation to the UNCF to support HBCU students in competitive tennis, marking her as one of the youngest major donors. Her family’s deep-rooted history with HBCUs inspired this gesture, as Gauff shared, “My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs, going all the way back to my great-great-grandfather. From aunts and uncles to cousins, HBCUs have played a huge role in shaping who we are. Supporting UNCF in creating opportunities for student-athletes in tennis means a lot to me.”

Gauff’s commitment to empowering young Black athletes was evident in her words. She further added, “As a young Black athlete, I understand how impactful it is to see people who look like me thriving in both sports and education. I want to help the next generation of student-athletes continue pursuing their passion for tennis while reaching their academic goals. My hope is that this scholarship gives more young Black players the confidence to chase their dreams, knowing they have a strong community behind them and a bright future ahead.” The ‘Coco Gauff Scholarship Program’ will be administered by UNCF, awarding scholarships starting in May 2025.

If you didn’t know, the UNCF empowers minority education, supporting over 50,000 students across 1,100 colleges. HBCUs have received significant corporate support, but Gauff’s donation stands out due to her age and influence. Inspired by her grandmother’s activism, the 20-year-old uses her platform to uplift her community and honor trailblazers like Althea Gibson and the Williams sisters – Serena Williams and Venus Williams.

With her success, Coco aims to be a beacon of hope for others. Despite a first-round exit setback in the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships, her spirit remains high, and her impact off the court continues to grow.