Venus Williams revealed what Coco Gauff said to her after their Australian Open first round showdown. Gauff dispatched Williams in a repeat of their match at Wimbledon last year.
The teen sensation came through this one with a 7-6 6-3 victory as she set about making an impact on Australian soil.
Gauff, 15, made the fourth and third round at Wimbledon and the US Open last year and hopes for as much progress in Melbourne. She faces Sorana Cirstea in the second round and could meet Naomi Osaka in the third.
But speaking afterwards Williams gave an insight into their conversation post match.
Williams was asked what Gauff had said to her at the net.
And she said: “I think it was a good match, well played.”
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When pushed for more detail, Williams said: “I think just, Good match, well played, yeah.”
And when asked what the teenager could achieve in the game, Williams said: “Yeah, I mean, she clearly wants it, works very hard, is extremely mature for her age. I think the sky’s the limit for her.”
Gauff announced herself to the world at SW19 last year and could have a big 2020.
She is eyeing the title in Australia and says she doesn’t fear anyone.
When asked if she felt like she could beat anyone and win the tournament, Gauff said: “I mean, if I go into a tournament thinking I’ll lose, then I’m going to lose.
“To answer that, I respect everyone’s game and I respect my opponent, but at the end of the day if I’m going to go against them, I can’t say, Oh, I’m going to lose this match. That’s not the right mentality to have.
“Yeah, I believe I can beat anyone. If it happens, I don’t know. But I think that’s almost every player’s mentality, I feel like. The ones who are the great ones, they don’t really fear anyone. You respect your opponent, but you can’t go into the match fearing someone, because then you’re going to lose, and I don’t want to lose.”