Where Coco Vandeweghe finishes at the U.S. Open is irrelevant, she is already one of the WTA’s fastest rising stars.
The Vandeweghe name isn’t new to most sports fans. Coco is the niece of former basketball star and Denver Nuggets coach, Kiki Vandeweghe. But that’s not the only significant member of the young tennis stars bloodline, as her family is rich in success.
Coco’s grandparents were hugely influential.
Grandmother, Colleen Klay Hutchins, was the 1952 Miss America winner. And just like uncle Kiki, Coco’s grandfather, Ernie Vandeweghe, also played professional basketball.
And while Most of Coco’s athletic ability and beauty stems from her grandparents and uncle, its her mother, Tauna, who undoubtedly gave her the biggest advantage. She was a former Olympic swimmer and has played a crucial role in Vandeweghe’s career.
Reagrdless of a having a very affluent upbringing, Vandeweghe had to work to get to this point in her tennis career.
She first developed a love for the sport at the age of 11. Vandeweghe spent time at the Junior Level before arriving on the WTA tour in 2007 at the Acura Classic. While she lost to Elena Bovina 3-6, 5-7, in the first round, the youngster from California had made quite a name for herself.
Now, Vandeweghe is one of the tennis world’s fastest risers. The 2015 season has been especially kind to her, reaching new heights in her singles career. Wimbledon saw Vandeweghe advance all the way to the quarterfinals, where she pushed the second ranked Maria Sharapova to three sets.
It was the first Major Quarterfinal of her young career. Vandeweghe is one of a handful of women vying to unseat Serena Williams as the best American women’s tennis star.
It’s not likely that happens in 2015, but Coco Vandeweghe has made strides this season that place her as a serious contender for that honor. Coco Vandeweghe is on the verge of superstardom in the tennis world, it’s just a matter of time before it happens.