Coco Gauff has proven to be a tennis star and now she’s added another title to her growing resume.
Olympic flagbearer.
This morning, Team USA announced that Gauff will be its second flagbearer, joining LeBron James with that honor. Like James, it’s a historic moment as Gauff becomes the first tennis player in Team USA history to be named an Olympic flagbearer. On Monday, James became the first basketball player in Team USA history to be given this honor.
Gauff, 20, also holds the additional honor of becoming the youngest flagbearer in Team USA history. She’s also the first rookie flagbearer for Team USA since runner Lopez Lomong in 2008.
“I never thought in a million years I would have the honor of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the Opening Ceremony,” said Gauff. “I could not be more proud to lead my teammates with LeBron as we showcase our dedication and passion on the biggest stage there is – at a moment where we can bring athletes and fans together from around the world.”
Gauff turned pro in 2018 at age 14 and steadily climbed the ladder over the next few years. At 15, she became the youngest qualifier in Wimbledon history and ended up upsetting former champion Venus Williams. She continued qualifying for major tournaments and in 2023, she won the US Open, her first Grand Slam victory.
This is also Coco’s first Olympic Games. She made the team in 2020 at 17, but was unable to compete due to testing positive for Covid.
Now she will represent Team USA, along with James, on Friday, where they will share the honor of leading the U.S. at the Opening Ceremony in Paris and become the first all-Black flagbearer duo in Team USA history.
