Michelle Obama trades autographs with tennis star Coco Gauff

Former first lady describes Goff as ‘wonderful young woman’

(Getty Images/Twitter@MichelleObama)

Michelle Obama and tennis prodigy Cori "Coco" Gauff have traded autographs in a meeting that has warmed the hearts of their respective fan bases.

The highly respected duo posted about their meeting on social media on Thursday afternoon, with the former first lady revealing that Gauff had given her a signed tennis racket.

Obama returned the favour by offering Gauff a signed copy of her best-selling memoir, Becoming, with a special note.

Judging by each of their posts, it’s clear the two women hugely admire one another.

In the caption of the photo, Obama said she was “thrilled” to meet Gauff, 15, who made headlines in July when she knocked seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams out of Wimbledon.

“When we talk about the potential of our young people, we often think about it as some far-off promise, years or decades away,” Obama continued.

“But the truth is they have so much to offer us right now – something we all saw a few weeks ago at Wimbledon.

“Coco is a wonderful young woman who’s showing us that we don’t have to wait to see what the next generation can do.”

Meanwhile, Gauff described Obama as her “idol”, adding that her “words and wisdom” will stay with her as she progresses in her tennis career.

“She is a true inspiration,” the Floridian teenager continued. “I have never arrived, I am always becoming! Thank you for your time.”