Coco Gauff has been a long-time fan of Caitlin Clark and was quick to congratulate the basketball star after she was named TIME’s Athlete of the Year for 2024
Coco Gauff demonstrated her grace after missing out on being crowned TIME’s Athlete of the Year for 2024 to Caitlin Clark.
Clark took the crown after her impressive debut season in the WNBA, winning Rookie of the Year after setting a new NCAA Division 1 women’s basketball scoring record.
Despite never having received this title herself, Gauff has previously been included in TIME’s Women of the Year list. The world No.3 enjoyed a successful year on the WTA Tour, with the 20-year-old winning the WTA Finals trophy for the first time – having made her Olympic debut over the summer – where she was chosen as Team USA’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony alongside LeBron James.
Despite her accomplishments, she did not secure the coveted TIME magazine title, but expressed her delight at seeing Clark – who has transformed women’s basketball, attracting record audiences to the WNBA – recognised.
After the Indiana Fever Guard shared a photo of her magazine cover on TIME on Instagram. Former US Open champion Gauff quickly responded, posting three heart-eye emojis in the comments.
The nine-time title winner, who played basketball in her younger years, has been following Clark’s career since her Iowa Hawkeyes days. In April, the tennis star told the WTA: “I will say if I could go in another life I would love to play at the same time as Caitlin Clark just to see if I could guard her.” Obviously, now I definitely couldn’t, but I don’t know, if I trained for it, [I] just [want] to see.”
Gauff revealed she had been following NCAA women’s basketball during the European clay-court season, even setting alarms to keep up with the action. She had been eagerly anticipating Clark’s WNBA debut and had started chatting with the 22 year old on social media.
“I’m just really excited to see Caitlin Clark’s first game, and Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. I’m really excited to see them on the same team too,” she said. “It’s very exciting to see the women’s game especially in basketball getting as much traction now. They definitely deserve it.”
Gauff has also been in touch with other basketball stars, including Cameron Brink, Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, and Paige Bueckers, and has been following their careers with interest.