Coco Gauff did what Coco Gauff does — dominated the court docket, performed with grit and charm and walked away victorious. However what occurred after her most up-to-date win on the French Open stated simply as a lot concerning the world we reside in because the match itself.
Somewhat than acknowledge Gauff’s ability, her opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, chalked up the loss to self-inflicted errors. As if Coco wasn’t simply… higher.
To be clear, athletes usually dissect their efficiency, and it’s not exceptional to critique one’s personal recreation. However this felt completely different. It was a refined refusal to provide a younger Black lady her full flowers — a quiet, coded dismissal we’ve seen earlier than. And Black ladies in every single place acknowledged it for what it was – one other try to dim our mild.
They hate to see us shine.
From the boardroom to the classroom, from politics to popular culture and sure, even on the tennis court docket, Black ladies are always “othered” — picked aside, doubted and minimized. Our confidence is seen as vanity. Our ardour as aggression. Our excellence as distinctive… however by no means fairly earned.
Coco has been the goal of this double commonplace since she first stepped on the scene at 15, outplaying veterans and dealing with post-match press conferences with poise past her years. And with each win, the scrutiny grows. Not nearly her recreation, however her perspective. Her stroll. Her very presence.
However Coco Gauff is just not the exception. She is the embodiment of generations of Black ladies who’ve needed to work twice as onerous to be seen as half nearly as good, and nonetheless smile via it. Her wins really feel private to us as a result of they’re. She carries the load of visibility on her shoulders, whether or not she requested for it or not.
We’ve seen it with Serena and Venus. With Simone Biles. With Michelle Obama. With Megan Thee Stallion. With the coworker who will get labeled “intimidating” only for being assured. With the scholar who’s instructed she’s “an excessive amount of” for daring to boost her hand with satisfaction.
What we’re witnessing with Coco is greater than a tennis story. It’s a mirrored image of what Black ladies face day by day — being doubted, second-guessed and nonetheless displaying up prepared to overcome.
So sure, they hate to see us shine. However right here’s the factor: we shine anyway. Unapologetically. Unbothered. Unstoppable.
Coco Gauff is proof that excellence is not going to be denied. Not right now. Not ever. And regardless of how onerous they attempt to rewrite the narrative, the reality is written in each serve, each forehand, each win: she earned it. She deserved it. She is it.
And Black Woman Magic? It’s not simply actual. It’s undefeated.
