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The 18-year-old French Open finalist earned her first wages
playing the role of a young Williams for an airline commercial,
Gauff told reporters ahead of Monday's U.S. Open main draw
start, and snagged a photo with her childhood idol on the set.
"I first met Serena - she definitely doesn't know this - I think
I was nine or 10 years old. They needed a stunt double to play a
young version of her just the face down," said Gauff.
"I think it was for a Delta commercial. I don't think they ever
used it but that was, like, my first check I ever got as a kid.
She doesn't know this but the first money I ever made for myself
was because of her, doing a commercial."
Fan-favourite Gauff joined her U.S. Open competitors in offering
praise for Williams, who won her first major title before Gauff
was born and will soon retire after having inspired a generation
of Black athletes.
"Growing up I never thought that I was different because the No.
1 player in the world was somebody who looked like me," said
Gauff. "I think that's the biggest thing that I can take from
what I've learned from Serena."
(This story refiles to fix typo in lead)
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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