Coco Gauff's father Corey lashes out at criticism over American being chosen as Paris Olympics flag-bearer over Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky & others
Coco Gauff's father Corey defended his daughter's selection as Team USA's flag-bearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics after fans raised questions and called Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles more deserving. The American is the youngest athlete and the first tennis player to be honored with this prestige by the USA.
The World No. 2, who is the highest-ranked player in Team USA, was recently announced as the flag bearer for Team USA alongside NBA star LeBron James. Her good friend and teammate Christopher Eubanks broke this news to the 20-year-old in front of the entire team. The news was welcomed with a huge round of applause from everyone as they congratulated her.
However, a few fans questioned Coco Gauff's selection as the flag bearer in the comments section of the above post and claimed Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles were better suited.
"There are way better American athletes. Katie Ledecky for example. But they wont. Testament to how politics and sports are interrelated. Coco Gauff = Kamala Harris," a fan said.
"Why not Simone Biles ?? this must be a joke !" a fan said.
However, Corey Gauff lashed out at the fans and stated that the other American athletes had voted for Gauff and that it was a sign of the respect she had gained. He responded on Instagram:
"The 538 athletes voted and selected her... So that's respect from her peers ... learn before posting."
Gauff rose to fame at the age of 15 when she defeated Venus Williams in straight sets in the opening round of Wimbledon 2019. She broke into the upper echelons of tennis when she won in Washington and the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati during the North American hardcourt swing last year.
Gauff's hardcourt swing came to a perfect end when she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final to win the 2023 US Open.
"I am incredibly honored" - Coco Gauff thanked her teammates for choosing her as the flag bearer for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Coco Gauff thanked her teammates on X (formerly Twitter) for choosing her for the prestigious role of flag-bearer for Team USA. She wrote:
"I just want to say thank you to my fellow team usa olympians/athletes for voting and choosing me for this incredible honor to be the flag bearer for the opening ceremony. Thank you so much. I am incredibly honored."
Gauff also shared her delight at the news on Instagram and shared a couple of stories where she expressed her gratitude and disbelief.
"What an honor... Thank you," she captioned her first story.
"Am I dreaming?" she captioned her second story.
Coco Gauff will be joined by Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Danielle Collins, Desirae Krawczyk, Christopher Eubanks, Taylor Fritz, Marcos Giron, Rajeev Ram, Austin Krajicek, and Tommy Paul as part of Team USA's tennis team.