Three generations, one desk: Coco Gauff reflects on TNT desk moment with Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens

In a powerful and heartwarming moment on the TNT broadcast desk, tennis star Coco Gauff found herself sitting alongside two of her biggest inspirations: Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens.

The scene was more than just a tennis commentary panel, it was a meeting of three generations of trailblazing Black American players, united by talent, history, and mutual respect.

Coco, still early in her career but already a household name, opened up about how surreal it felt to share that space with Venus and Sloane. "Venus is someone I looked up to for a long time, and Sloane too," she said. But it was a personal memory with Sloane that really brought the moment to life.

"I remember hitting with Sloane when I was like 8 years old," Coco recalled. “And I had a birthday party at maybe 10 or 11, and she surprised me and showed up. I felt like the coolest kid ever having her come.”

She also added saying, "To be alongside the two of them is very cool. To have that moment wasn’t something I was expecting. Very honored that they were both enthusiastic for me to be there. Honestly, I was just probably more excited, too.".

All in all, this trio, representing three distinct eras in tennis, reminds fans of the progress and legacy of Black American players in the sport. Their presence together is a celebration of resilience, talent, and the passing of the torch to the next generation, with Coco shining brightly at the forefront.

Today on Philippe-Chatrier, Coco Gauff cruised past Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova with a commanding 6-0, 7-5 victory to reach the quarter-finals of Roland Garros.