Coco Gauff has been chosen by her peers to join LeBron James as a flag bearer for the United States in Friday’s opening ceremonies.
This honor makes the reigning US Open champion the youngest flag bearer in U.S. history and the first tennis player to receive the distinction. Gauff’s selection highlights her growing influence and success in the sport, underscoring her status as a trailblazer in American tennis.
The moment Coco Gauff heard she would be the flag bearer alongside LeBron James for Team USA at the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
Beautiful that the news came from Chris Eubanks, who’s known her & her family since she was a child.
The 2024 BET Awards celebrate amazing talents from the Black community from various fields. On May 17, 2024, BET released the full list of nominees for its 2024 Awards ceremony. Despite suffering a huge blow in his beef with Kendrick Lamar, Drake heads the nominations list for the BET Awards 2024 with seven nominations. He is followed closely by Nicki Minaj with six nominations. Meanwhile, Beyoncé got four nominations, while Victoria Monét has five nominations.
Like previous years, the BET Awards 2024 will include the Sportswoman of the Year category, which celebrates the most successful woman in sports from the previous year. The BET Sportswoman of the Year 2024 nominees are A’Ja Wilson, Angel Reese, Coco Gauff, Flau’Jae Johnson and Juju Watkins. Other nominees for the prestigious award include Naomi Osaka, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Simone Biles. Follow as we x-ray each of the nominees for the BET Awards 2024 Sportswoman of the Year and discover their achievements in 2023.
WNBA and Los Angeles Aces star A’Ja Wilson enjoyed a stellar 2023 filled with personal and team glories. She played a pivotal role in the Aces’ run to the 2023 WNBA Championships. Victory over New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals meant the Aces won their second consecutive title after their 2022 triumph. Hence, they became the first WNBA team to win back-to-back Championship titles since the Los Angeles Sparks did the same in 2001 and 2002. A’Ja propelled her team to victory with her inspiring performances. She posted averages of 23.8 points and 11.8 rebounds per game in the finals. Thus, she unsurprisingly won the Finals MVP, the first in her career.
Besides winning the WNBA Championships back-to-back, A’Ja was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. That accolade meant she won the Defensive Player of the Year award for the second time in a row after her 2022 win. A’ Ja is not only brilliant on the court but off of it, too. She is known for being an advocate for mental health awareness and racial equality. Through her platform, she promotes positive change and supports several charitable causes.
Angel Reese
Angel Reese’s stock in female basketball continues to rise. Her BET Awards 2024 nomination for Sportswoman of the Year is a testament to her significant impact in basketball within a short time. After spending her first two college seasons with the Maryland Terrapins, Angel joined the LSU Tigers in 2022. She went on to enjoy incredible success with the Tigers, helping them win their first national title at the end of the 2022-2023 season.
Since then, Angel has added more accolades to her name. She was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player at the end of the 2022-2023 season. Reese is also a two-time All-American Player and grabbed the Southern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year Title at the end of the 2023-2024 season.’Angel has added more accolades to her name. She was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player at the end of the 2022-2023 season. Moreover, she is a two-time All-American Player and grabbed the Southern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year Title at the end of the 2023-2024 season.
In addition to these, Angel was named to the first-team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team in her two seasons at LSU. On April 15, 2024, Angel got drafted into the WNBA. She was the 7th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft. The Chicago Sky drafted Angel, who has enjoyed a good start to her WNBA career. On May 17, Angel added another feather to her cap after LSU announced her graduation. Besides basketball, Angel enjoys engaging in community development and youth empowerment projects. Angel will hope to win the BET Sportswoman of the Year award for the second time in a row after winning it last year.
Coco Gauff became a tennis sensation after her WTA Tour debut in 2019. The Atlanta-born athlete first made the world take notice of her incredulous talent after defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon 2019. Since then, Coco has only gone on to achieve greater things. Her first WTA Tour singles title win came in 2019 at the Linz Open. She reached her first major final in women’s double two years later at the 2021 US Open. In 2022, Coco reached the French Open final but lost to Iga Świątek.
However, Coco wasn’t to be denied in 2023. Last year, she claimed her first WTA 1000 title at the Cincinnati Masters before going on to win her first Grand Slam title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open finals. Away from the tennis courts, Coco uses her influence to inspire young athletes to be agents of change in their communities. This is Coco’s second nomination for the BET Sportswoman of the Year Award, and she hopes to be second-time lucky this time around.
LSU Tigers player Flau’jae Johnson rose from difficult circumstances to become a rising sportswoman and rapper. About six months before Flau’jae’s birth, her dad, a rapper named Camouflage, was shot and killed in May 2003. Flau’jae grew up loving and playing sports. She played baseball at a young age before going on to play basketball for Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Georgia. Flau’jae was exceptional in her time at Sprayberry High School and carried on with that momentum at LSU, where she became the Tigers’ starting shooting guard in her freshman year. She helped the Tigers win the national championship in her freshman year and was named the 2022-2023 SEC Freshman of the Year. She also made the SEC All-Freshman Team for 2023 and Second-team All-SEC in 2024.
Inspired by her late dad, Flau’jae became a rapper to continue his legacy. She is signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and has appeared on The Rap Game and America’s Got Talent. Combining being a college student with being a top-rated NCAA star and rapper is no mean feat, but Flau’jae is doing it with class. Hence, she is a role model for aspiring athletes and artists and proves that hard work always gets you far.
Juju Watkins is an amazing talent and already has a truckload of awards and honors to prove this. After dazzling and earning rave reviews at Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles, Juju committed to the University of Southern California in November 2022. She continued with her incredible performances for the USC Trojans, breaking records and winning awards along the way. Some of Juju’s recognitions include the ESPN National Freshman of the Year Award 2023, the Gatorade National Player of the Year 2023, and the All-Pac-12 Team for 2024.
Juju is known for her exceptional scoring prowess. She set the record for points in a freshman debut, breaking Lisa Leslie’s record set in 1990. She also broke the USC single-game scoring record previously held by Cherie Nelson and set in 1989. Juju also helped the US win the FIBA U-17 World Cup in 2022 and was named the tournament’s MVP. Besides her ability to make baskets, Juju is athletic and has a high basketball IQ. She is definitely a promising talent bound to make more history in the coming years.
Naomi Osaka earned her sixth BET Sportswoman of the Year nomination. The two-time winner of the prestigious award will be hoping to win it for the third time after her 2021 and 2022 successes. Naomi needs no introduction. The 26-year-old has won four Grand Slam titles and is well on her way to becoming a sports icon. However, Naomi played little tennis in 2023. In January 2023, she announced she was expecting a baby with her boyfriend and rapper Cordae. The tennis star withdrew from the 2023 Australian Open and announced she won’t compete for the rest of the year. In July 2023, Naomi welcomed her daughter, Shai. She returned to professional tennis in January 2024 at Brisbane. Naomi competed at the 2024 Australian Open but lost in the first round.
Naomi is known for her activism, for which he has received multiple accolades. In 2020, she withdrew from the Cincinnati Open to raise awareness for the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Before then, she joined protesters in calling for justice after George Floyd’s murder. After giving birth, Naomi also called for the United States to introduce paid parental leave. Besides her activism, Naomi has also dealt with mental health issues. She has dealt with depression since 2018 and withdrew from the French Open and Wimbledon in 2021 to deal with her mental health and well-being. Naomi also promotes charitable causes and urges athletes to take their self-care more seriously.
Sha’Carri Richardson
This is Sha’Carri Richardson’s third consecutive nomination for the BET Sportswoman of the Year. After a remarkable 2023, the athlete will be hoping she is third-time lucky. The world’s fastest woman is arguably the current face of women’s track and field. Sha’Carri endured a difficult 2021 and missed out on the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for THC metabolites, which indicated recent cannabis use. She was suspended for a month after the test results and completed a counseling program. After a not-so-good 2022, Sha’Carri came back firing in 2023. She won the Diamond League 100m race in Doha, setting a new meeting record of 10.76s.
Sha’Carri qualified for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, with a time of 10.82s at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She enjoyed a successful stay in Budapest, winning her first major individual title by beating every other competitor to the 100m gold medal, posting a time of 10.65s. Sha’Carri also won the 200m bronze medal at the championships before helping Team USA win gold at the 4 x 100m relay. Team USA, comprising Sha’Carri, Tamari Davis, Gabrielle Thomas, and Twanisha Terry, set a championship record, posting a time of 41.03s. Known for her long nails and colorful hair, Sha’Carri identifies as bisexual and supports the LGBTQ+ community. Her positivity, incredible speed, and vibrant personality have endeared her to millions of fans worldwide.
Simone Biles won the BET Sportswoman of the Year award in 2020 and has been nominated multiple times. Her nomination for the BET Awards 2024 comes after an impressive 2023. Simone endured a difficult 2021 after leaving the Tokyo Olympic Games due to mental health struggles. Her decision to quit the games sparked much discussion, with some commentators criticizing her while multiple gymnasts praised her. Biles bounced back in 2023 and competed at the US Classic, where she qualified for the US National Championships. Simone won her eighth national all-around title, breaking Al Jochim’s previous record of seven national title wins. She also became the oldest woman to win the title.
Simone continued her stellar performance at the World Championships, where she helped the US team win a seventh consecutive gold medal. She also won her sixth all-around gold medal, surpassing Vitaly Scherbo as the most successful gymnast of all time at the World and Olympic championships. Simone won six gold medals at the World Championships, becoming the first gymnast in World Championships history to win many titles on one apparatus. 2023 was also a successful year in Simone’s personal life as she tied the knot with her long-term boyfriend and NFL star Jonathan Owens on April 22, 2023.
Coco Gauff is the latest of many who have taken a definitive stance in the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake feud. Yesterday Tennis star Naomi Osaka planted her flag on Kendrick’s side, stating he won the beef. Osaka also urged the rapper to drop another diss record because “Not Like Us” was so good. Now her fellow Tennis star Coco Gauff has chosen a side in the feud. Coco has chosen Kendrick Lamar as the winner, and it’s for good reason.
Coco Gauff’s decision to side with Kendrick Lamar over Drake is not just a matter of personal preference in music. It’s a decision rooted in her personal connection to the feud. Gauff’s support for Kendrick stems from Drake’s repeated disses against her idol, Serena Williams. In her own words, Gauff explained, “To be honest, I liked Kendrick’s songs more. And I think pretty much everyone I know is leaning towards him. But I do like Drake as an artist as well. But as far as the rap battle is going on, the rap beef, I think definitely Kendrick’s winning. Also, Drake dissed Serena [Williams] so I have to go with Kendrick. Kendrick defended her, so yeah, I have to go with him.”
In the song “Middle of the Ocean” from 2022, Drake referred to Williams’ spouse, Alexis Ohanian, as a “groupie.” Although they were never official, there were also rumors that Drake and Williams had dated in the past. Kendrick Lamar defended his fellow Compton Native Williams on the hit diss track “Not Like Us.” Kendrick rapped, “From Alondra down to Central / n**gas better not speak on Serena.” Coco Gauff idolizes Serena, so her choosing Kendrick is a no-brainer.
Four-time Grand Slam title champion Naomi Osaka said of the beef, “Kendrick dropped some heat.” She continued, “That last song is amazing, and I played it while walking onto the court.” Popular opinion is that Kendrick Lamar has officially won the feud. Drake’s last diss track did not go over like the rapper wanted. Meanwhile, Kendirk’s “Not Like Us” may have become an all-time diss record. Overall, Osaka and Coco Gauff are part of the team Kendrick for good reason.
Coco Gauff has been dubbed as the future of women’s tennis since she was 15 years old. She arrived at the US Open on Saturday, and took her first Grand Slam championship. Gauff becomes the youngest US Open Grand Slam winner since Serena Williams took the title in 1999.
The 19-year-old American outlasted No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, the new top-ranked player in the WTA, in a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 thriller in the US Open final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She becomes the 11th teenager to ever win a Grand Slam singles title, and the question now becomes how many more are in front of her.
“Today was the first time I’ve ever seen my dad cry,” Gauff said to ESPN after the match. “He doesn’t want me to tell y’all that, but he got caught in 4K. He thinks he’s so hard, but you know he’s not … My dad took me to this tournament [years ago], sitting right there watching Venus and Serena [Williams] compete, so it’s really incredible to be on this stage.”
Saturday was Gauff’s third win of the tournament after losing the first set. Per ESPN Stats & Info, the only other person to win the US Open in that fashion was Gauff’s idol, Serena Williams, who did it at 17 years old in 1999.
Coco Gauff overcame a head start from Aryna Sabalenka. It took an epic comeback against Madison Keys for Sabalenka to reach the final as well, but there was no slow start by the Belarusian this time. Sabalenka opened the match by breaking Gauff in front of a highly partial New York crowd looking for the first American US Open champion since Sloane Stephens in 2017.
Gauff broke Sabalenka back three games later, but that was the last game she’d win in the first set. Sabalenka, one of the hardest hitters on tour, showed a form so overpowering that even Gauff’s speed couldn’t neutralize her.
By the end of the match, Gauff was showing her speed. After four years of waiting, Gauff won her first WTA 1000 event at the Cincinnati Open last month and didn’t stop there.
“Honestly, thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me,” Gauff said. “A month ago, I won a 500 and people said I would stop at that. Two weeks ago, I won a 1000 title and people said that was the biggest it was going to get. Three weeks later, I’m here with this trophy right now.”
Coco Gauff shared a video on social media of herself lip-syncing to Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice’s “Barbie World” while rocking pink and holding up her U.S. Open trophy. With her victory over Aryna Sabalenka, the 19-year-old became the youngest American to win the U.S. Open since Serena Williams in 1999.
When the video began circulating on social media, the official account for Barbie shared it on Instagram. “This Barbie is the US Open champion [heart emoji],” the account wrote.
Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates during the awarding ceremony for the women’s singles at the 2023 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, on Sept. 9, 2023. (Photo by Liu Jie/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Coco Gauff made a name for herself on the international stage after beating Venus Williams at Wimbledon as a 15-year-old. When asked about the expectations placed on her after, she admitted to CNN’s Carolyn Manno they affected her “a lot.” “I learned how to just stay within myself but also embrace it,” she said after the win. “Before I tried to ignore it, but now I’m really embracing it and I still feel like I have long, long ways to develop as a player. Today was nowhere near my best, but it was just enough that I needed to win in that moment.” Check out the clip of Gauff singing “Barbie World” below.
The new social media post isn’t the first time Gauff has shouted out hip-hop artists after a victory. Last year, she proclaimed it a “City Girls summer” after beating Zhang Shuai in Round 4 of the 2022 US Open. “That was a City Girls’ ‘period,’” she said at the time. “It’s a City Girls summer. Period. That’s what it is. JT, Yung Miami, you don’t know? I got my long nails, it’s supposed to be like that. It’s feeding off the crowd.”
On Saturday, September 9, Coco Gauff made tennis history after she beat Aryna Sabalenka to win the 2023 US Open title. According to CBS, the 19-year-old player became the youngest American woman to win the tournament since Serena Williams. After the landmark victory, Gauff took to TikTok to bask in the moment with a very fitting soundtrack.
During Gauff’s victory speech, she let her confidence shine bright as she clapped back at those who doubted she would come out on top.
Honestly, thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me. Like a month ago, I won a 500 title, and people said I would stop at that. Two weeks ago, I won a 1,000 title, and people were saying that was the biggest I was going to get. So three weeks later, I’m here with this trophy right now. I tried my best to carry this with grace, and I’ve been doing my best. So honestly, to those who thought [they] were putting water on my fire, you’re really adding gas to it. And now I’m really burning so bright right now.
Sports stars such as Angel Reese have appeared alongside their favorite musical acts. For Reese, that was Cardi B and Latto, when she made a cameo in their video for “Put It On Da Floor Again.” Maybe Coco Gauff will link up with Nicki Minaj or Ice Spice in the future. Barbie: The Album is out now via Atlantic. Find more information here.
The Barbie soundtrack is a Warner Music release. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Coco Gauff secured her first Grand Slam title with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open on September 9. With the win, Gauff became the first American to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 2014 and the youngest American winner since Williams in 1999. It has marked the peak of a white-hot 2023 season for Gauff, where she has won two other titles. It sets her up perfectly for a 2024 season that will likely include an appearance at the Olympics in Paris.
Gauff celebrated her win in her unique, energetic style. Taking to TikTok, Gauff posted a video posing with the trophy as DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” played in the background. “Oh my goodness, it means so much to me,” Gauff told ESPN‘s Mary Joe Fernandez. “I feel like I’m a little bit in shock in this moment. That [2022] French Open loss was a heartbreak for me. But I realized God put you through tribulations and trials and that makes this moment even sweeter than I could have imagined.”
“You played unbelievable,” Sabalenka said to Gauff during the on-court trophy ceremony. “Congrats to you and your team, you guys deserve this title. Many more to come, I’m pretty sure.” However, the praise didn’t stop at her opponent. “Congratulations to US Open champion, @CocoGauff! We couldn’t be prouder of you on and off the court – and we know the best is yet to come,” wrote former president Barack Obama. “This generation is living the dream of the Original 9. Congratulations, @CocoGauff! ,” wrote women’s tennis legend Billie Jean King.
Furthermore, Gauff received a litany of praise for her post-victory speech. “In one speech coco gauff: thanked her opponent, thanked her family, thanked her haters, thanked her coaches, thanked the behind-the-scenes tennis workers, thanked Billie Jean King for fighting for $ equality, shouted out her dad for crying in 4k. No notes perfect speech,” wrote journalist Matt Ellentuck. Congratulations to Coco and we’re excited to see the heights your career heads to next. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.
Delray Beach, Florida, isn’t just a sun-kissed haven for beach lovers. It’s where the world of tennis met its prodigious sensation, Coco Gauff. Born in 2004, Cori “Coco” Gauff had tennis DNA, courtesy of her athletic parents, but her destiny was more than just heritage. While most kids her age juggled school assignments, Coco brandished her racket and mastered the courts.
At 8, she began her journey to dominate junior tennis tournaments, leaving audiences and competitors marveling at her tenacity and skill. With an insatiable hunger to excel and a willpower that belied her age, Gauff charted a trajectory that many could only dream of. By 2023, while many her age were just launching their careers, she had already amassed a net worth of $3.5 million, according to Cosmopolitan.
Masterclass Moments: The Glorious Parade Of Victories
TOPSHOT – US player Cori Gauff celebrates beating Slovenia’s Polona Hercog during their women’s singles third round match on the fifth day of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 5, 2019. – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)
In the chronicles of tennis, few stories are as meteoric as Coco’s. By 14, she was already turning heads, winning the French Open junior title, marking her as one to watch. But it was the Wimbledon Championships of 2019 where Coco truly announced her arrival, defeating Venus Williams, a tennis titan. This wasn’t just any victory; it was symbolic, almost poetic. The young taking the torch from the seasoned.
With every championship, her grace, agility, and indomitable spirit shone, solidifying her as a mainstay in the tennis elite. From the U.S. Open to the Australian Open, Coco consistently showcased her ability not just to compete but conquer. Accolades weren’t just confined to titles. She also garnered respect, admiration, and a fan base that spanned continents.
Behind The Net: Coco’s World Off The Court
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Cori Gauff of the United States during an interview on Media Day on day 3 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 23, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
Beyond her spectacular serves and breathtaking backhands, Coco is a mosaic of diverse interests. Passionate about education, she often highlights its importance, even as she travels the world. With a tight-knit family, her bond with her parents and siblings forms the core of her universe. It’s this foundation that keeps her grounded amidst the whirlwind of fame. A modern teenager at heart, Coco also revels in music, occasionally sharing her playlists, bridging her love for rhythm with her tennis tempo. However, beneath the fun-loving teen exterior lies a mature individual, reflective, aware, and remarkably attuned to the world around her.
A Heart Bigger Than The Court: Ventures Beyond Tennis
TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 14: Coco Gauff of the United States hits a shot, with her partner Jessica Pegula of the United States, against Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Ellen Perez of Australia during the doubles final of the National Bank Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Sobeys Stadium on August 14, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Coco’s impact isn’t restricted to just the tennis court. With a heightened sense of responsibility, she’s been vocal about social issues, using her platform to drive racial justice and equality conversations. Philanthropy also finds a special place in her heart. Partnering with various organizations, she’s contributed to educational programs, ensuring opportunities for the underprivileged aren’t lost. Furthermore, her brand endorsements, from sportswear giants to luxury watch brands, are strategic alliances, carefully chosen, echoing her values and aspirations. Each venture, each association is a testament to her commitment to be more than just a tennis star but a beacon of hope, change, and inspiration.
19-year-old tennis superstar Coco Gauff has been playing some of the best tennis of her career at the 2023 US Open. The world #6 has faced very few tests through the first three rounds. After cruising past German qualifier Laura Siegemund in the first round and beating Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in the second, she found herself drawn against world #32 Elise Mertens in the third round. After dropping the first set, Gauff rallied to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-0.
Amid the packed crowd at the Arther Ashe Stadium were Justin and Hailey Bieber. The Grammy winner, 29, was seen donning a polkda dot baseball cap and pair of pink alien glasses completing the outfit with blue jeans as well as a pair of white vest. Meanwhile, his wife rocked a black leather jacket which she paired with a white tank top and gold earrings. The Biebers were joined at various points during the match by Frances Tiafoe and Jimmy Butler.
Gauff addressed the famous faces in the audience after securing the win against Mertens. “I was definitely starstruck with Justin Bieber,” Gauff told the crowd. “Never Say Never was one of my favorite songs when I was a kid. And then Baby, Oh Baby… I could go through all his songs. And then Hailey coming too — I guess it was a little date night for them which is really cool.” Gauff added more on Instagram, sharing a picture of Bieber cheering with the caption “He was pumped, I love it.”
Gauff will face her hardest challenge in the next round. She will face former world #1 and two-time US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki. However, after retiring in early 2022, Wozniacki announced her return to pro tennis in an essay published in Vogue. Wozniacki has made a stunning return to the pro scene, including taking down world #11 Petra Kvitová in the second round. Wozniacki vs. Gauff is scheduled for September 3.
(@naomiosaka)
,” Gauff is seen lipsynching along to 
,” wrote women’s tennis legend Billie Jean King.
