HomeHome > News > "They asked for my earrings and hair ties and everything": Gauff recalls experiences of fans wanting any souvenir

"They asked for my earrings and hair ties and everything": Gauff recalls experiences of fans wanting any souvenir

Aug 01, 2023

America’s tennis star Coco Gauff has stated the need for herto be a good ‘role model’.

The 19-year-old is one of the most highly-rated youngplayers in the circuit after becoming a pro just at the age of just 14.

While talking about how she wants to deal with her fansasking for things after the match, Gauff stated that she likes to give away alot of stuff but sometimes she had to refuse.

"Yeah, for me it [being a great role model besidesbeing a great tennis player] is really important,” she said. “I don't know howmuch the ticket prices cost or anything, but for people to pay money to see meand wait after the trophy ceremony in this heat, to ask for an autograph, I tryto sign as many as I can.

"A lot of them were kids. I remember being in thatmoment. Yeah, you know, a lot of people ask, they strip me from everything.Some people asked for my shoes, but I needed to walk. Some people asked for mybracelet. I was, like, this was a gift from someone. I can't give you that.

"They asked for my earrings and hair ties andeverything. Usually I don't mind giving. I always try to. Sometimes I try toration it out, because I am going to another tournament. Yeah, I love doing it.”

Gauff will be feeling good after her recent triumph on thecourt as she won the Citi DC Open after beating Greece’s Maria Sakkari in thefinal with a score of 6-2, 6-3.

That victory will give the young tennis sensation a lot ofmomentum going into the last Grand Slam of the year — the US Open — which isset to begin in less than a month’s time.