Michelle Obama trades autographs with tennis star Coco Gauff

Michelle Obama is trading signed souvenirs with one of tennis’s rising stars.

The former first lady posted a photo Thursday of her smiling alongside Coco Gauff, whose impressive run at Wimbledon this year included a victory over five-time champion Venus Williams. The 15-year-old tennis pro is seen propping up a copy of Obama’s 2018 memoir, “Becoming,” as Obama holds an autographed racket.

Thrilled to visit with @CocoGauff today—a wonderful young woman who’s showing us that we don’t have to wait to see what the next generation can do. pic.twitter.com/zoVyp4PScA

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) August 1, 2019

{mosads}An inscription in Gauff’s copy of the book reads, “I wish you courage, strength, joy and love on your journey to become more.”

Gauff has called Obama “one of my role models,” after the former first lady cheered her Wimbledon performance last month.

Coco is terrific! https://t.co/13vsVKdjFP

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 5, 2019

It’s not the first time Obama’s gotten up close to a tennis star. Back in 2011, she made a surprise visit, along with daughters Sasha and Malia, to watch Serena Williams play in a Washington Kastles charity tennis match in the nation’s capital.