Coco Gauff sealed her second-round win against Solana Sierra at Wimbledon and immediately took to Instagram to congratulate Serena Williams on her return to the All England Club.
What happened?
Gauff commented on Williams' post with 'GOAT' emojis, just minutes after her win on Wednesday.
Williams had posted about her return to Wimbledon, expressing gratitude for the wild card and her daughters' opportunity to watch her play.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion is currently day-to-day with a knee injury but hopes to feature in doubles with her sister, Venus Williams, later this week.
Why it matters for Coco Gauff
Gauff has repeatedly described Williams as her biggest tennis idol and one of the primary reasons she picked up a racquet.
In July 2019, Gauff beat Venus Williams in her historic debut at the All England Club, citing the Williams sisters as her inspiration.
Gauff reiterated her admiration for Serena in an emotional letter ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, reflecting on Serena's impact on tennis and her legacy.
What comes next?
Serena has also praised Gauff for her rise in tennis, hoping to team up with her in padel one day.
Gauff's win against Solana Sierra on Wednesday marked her progress in the tournament, with fans taking note of her swift response to Williams' post.
The admiration between Gauff and Williams is mutual, with both athletes respecting each other's achievements in tennis.
On Wednesday, Gauff finished her second-round win in three sets, then immediately showed her support for Williams on social media.
Williams' post had expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to play at Wimbledon, despite her current knee injury.
The exchange between Gauff and Williams highlights the respect and admiration between the two athletes, with Gauff looking up to Williams as a role model and inspiration.