TO BATTLE AGAINST 1960s RACISM How Wimbledon sensation’s gran became a civil rights trailblazer as first black child in all-white school
and that’s carried to Coco.” The tennis star is ranked 301 in the world but will rocket up the list after Wimbledon.
She has a huge poster of Serena Williams on her bedroom wall as a “reminder to work hard every day”. Coco wasn’t even born when Serena’s older sister Venus, 39, won her first Wimbledon in 2000.
Dad Corey, 47 – a former university basketball player – is her main coach. And she is schooled at home by Candi, 48, a former gymnast and track star. They made sacrifices for Coco and it has paid off. She has deals with Head, New Balance and Barilla and could earn more than $1million this year.
Coco rocked Wimbledon by knocking five-time champ Venus out last Monday, before overcoming former semi-finalist Magdalena Rybarikova in straight sets on Wednesday.
In a dramatic match on Friday evening she came from a set down to beat Slovenia’s Polona Hercog and reach the fourth round. It is the stuff of fairytales. But determined Coco says she is here to win Wimbledon.
CHEERED
She won the French Open junior title last year – just 12 months after becoming the youngest ever US Open girls’ singles finalist.
Yvonne had chanted “never say die” as she cheered Coco on at Delray Beach’s Paradise Sports Bar and Lounge – owned by son-in-law Corey. Yvonne said: “It was a miracle! I messaged Coco earlier in the day and told her ‘never say die’ and we love her.
“And I reminded her God did not give her the spirit of fear, but power and self-control.
“Proud is not a word that does enough to say what I feel. I am so happy she has played her own game. I have watched her for years and I have seen her practise, practise and practise. Her competitiveness is enormous. I knew it was going to show itself at this championship. I have seen that fire and I know how good she is.”
Mum- of- three Yvonne believes Coco could become the greatest player of all time. But for now, she is still a typical teenager off court – teasing her brothers and listening to Beyonce, Rihanna and Miss Mulatto.
Yvonne adds: “I try to get in contact after she plays. She doesn’t always pick up my calls, like any teenager!
“We text too. Sometimes she ignores my texts! I remind her to stay calm and concentrate, never give up, to be serious, stay humble, win big and lose big and be a class player.
“I sometimes send her some Bible scripture too, some positive messages.
“She goes on to that court believing she can win. And if she plays her game, I believe she could be the youngest Wimbledon champion ever.”