Tennis feature: Cori Gauff and Robin Montgomery - the stars who carry on the legacy of the Williams sisters

The match as it was wasn’t too out of the ordinary, save for the fact that rain delays meant it stretched out over two days.

Montgomery, the 2021 US Open girls champion, put in a valiant effort but, ranked 294 in the world, was always facing an uphill task taking on a player who reached the French Open final in 2022.

Nevertheless, there was something even more significant about their meeting – this was a clash between two African American players in a second-tier WTA event. And it was not lost on Gauff.

“If Serena and Venus saw this today, two 18-year-olds, both African-Americans, playing at the WTA 500 level, I think they would be proud,” Gauff said after the match.

“Both of us are products of their legacy. I’m grateful that I had those examples to follow. I hope that maybe I can be an example myself.”

Indeed, both are inspired by the Williams sisters. Montgomery pointed out as much after the match, whereas Gauff’s idolizing of the sisters is also well known.

And in that sense, they are indeed the ones who are carrying forward the legacy that the Williams sisters left behind.

It is worth noting that both Venus and Serena Williams broke into the sport at a time when it was highly uncommon for athletes of colour to be successful in the sport.

Yes, America had already seen Arthur Ashe rise to the top. But the women’s division had not seen any African-American contenders until the Williams sisters showed up.

They also had to endure their fair share of hurdles that weren’t always about the sport. Both faced racist abuse from home crowds and often had to overcome prejudice by sheer force of will and dominating the game more than anything else.

However, they did it. And in the process, the sisters blazed a trail for more athletes of colour to follow once they are gone from the sport.

It is worth noting that these two aren’t the only tennis players inspired by the Williams sisters. Naomi Osaka, born and raised in America but competes under the Japanese flag, has also openly spoken about how the Williams sisters inspired her.

Osaka, it is worth noting, is already a multi-time Grand Slam winner. But it feels so different in the case of Williams and Montgomery because their rise coincides with the time when the Williams sisters are on the out.

Serena is all but retired, even though she has left the door open for future returns – however unlikely that may seem. Even Venus has hinted at retirement coming sooner rather than later.

Thus, it is particularly poignant that when two African-American greats are riding off into the sunset, two young upstarts are getting ready to step up to the plate at the same time.