Some members of the Chelsea FC women’s team have chosen Coco Gauff, Serena Williams and Emma Raducanu as their favorite female athletes outside of football.
The exercise took place on the occasion of National Girls and Women’s Sports Day in the United States. The annual observance dates back to 1987, when then-President Ronald Reagan established it after signing Proclamation 5606.
Since 1987, this holiday has been celebrated on a day in the first week of February. To celebrate the day, community events and award ceremonies are organized, often involving famous female athletes.
Players nominated by Chelsea FC Women’s team include Americans Catarina Macario and Mia Fisher, Canadian Ashley Lawrence and England’s Aggie Beaver-Jones.
The first-place finisher was Brazilian-born Macario, who plays as a forward for the Chelsea FC women’s team and the U.S. women’s soccer team.
“My favorite female athlete outside of football is Serena Williams,” she said.
Next, it was American forward Fisher’s turn.
“My favorite American female athlete is Coco (Goff). She’s a young up-and-comer and she’s killing it,” Fisher said.
Lawrence, a versatile player who excels in midfield and defense, also picked Goff as his favorite.
“My favorite female athlete outside of football is Coco Gauff because she’s a tennis player. I love watching tennis and she’s done amazing things at such a young age, winning Grand Slams, is Yes, she just paved the way for future tennis players.”
Beaver-Jones was the last to speak out about his choice.
“My favorite female athlete outside of football is Emma Raducanu.”
What are Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu doing after the Australian Open?
Serena Williams may have said goodbye to tennis, but youngsters Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu are still in the nascent stages of their respective careers. They both have a U.S. Open title and are regarded as two of the brightest young talents in women’s tennis.
Gauff is one of the favorites for the 2024 Australian Open, making it all the way to the semifinals. However, she lost to the dominant Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(2), 6-4 and eventually won the women’s singles title.
Gauff’s next stop will be the WTA Qatar Open in Doha, where she is the second seed.
Raducanu’s run at the Australian Open wasn’t as deep as Gauff’s, as she was knocked out in the second round. She did get off to a good start, defeating Shelby Rogers 6-3, 6-2 in the first round. However, she lost to Wang Yafan 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the second round.
Raducanu also lost in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Open, losing to Tunisian Ons Jabeur 6-4, 6-1. The 21-year-old British player’s next stop on the 2024 WTA Tour has yet to be determined.