Coco Gauff has heaped praise on the ‘inspiring’ Kamala Harris, with the defending US Open champion keen to speak to the Vice President about her ‘crazy’ journey to the cusp of this country’s highest office.

Harris could become the first female President in American history if she beats Donald Trump in this year’s seismic election.

The Vice President is the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica and Gauff said Harris’ story is a significant marker of progress for the nation – regardless of political allegiances.

The world No 3, still just 20, also revealed how she once harbored faint hopes of entering politics – or even the British Royal Family.

‘It is really incredible. No matter who you’re voting for, who you stand for, it is really incredible to see how far this country has come (for) people of color, Black people in general,’ she said. 

Harris can become the first female President in American history if she beats Donald Trump

‘It’s really inspiring to see someone on that ballot. Honestly, it takes the works of many others to pave the way and I’m excited that I’m able to see this in my lifetime because I know many others didn’t get that chance to.’

Gauff met with Barack and Michelle Obama on her journey to winning her maiden Grand Slam at last year’s US Open. She spoke briefly to Harris, too, when the Vice President congratulated her on victory at Flushing Meadows.

The defending champion would love the chance to meet the Democratic nominee and hear more of her ‘inspiring’ story. ‘How she got to this point in her life,’ Gauff said.

The 20-year-old is looking to defend the US Open title after winning her maiden major in 2023

‘It’s crazy to see how a person can be one of us and then become the President,’ Gauff said

‘I know her mother was an immigrant and I think anybody, really, it’s crazy to see how a person can be one of us and then become the President of the United States or Vice President of the United States. 

‘I think I would ask her just her story and, you know, what were the stepping stones to that point, because I think at one point almost every kid said they were going to be the next President of the United States.’

Gauff added: ‘I knew I always wanted to be a tennis player. But as a super young kid, like four or five, you see the kid, I don’t know if any of you heard of (viral show) “Kid President” and you think: I want to be like him.

‘I’m sure there was a thought in my head at that age that I would be the next president or the Queen of England or something crazy like that,’ Gauff said with a laugh. ‘Then you get older and you realize reality is not like that.’