Emotional Thanks from Coco Gauff to Simone Biles for Encouragement after Persevering in US Open Second Round
In the ongoing US Open, 18-year-old Coco Gauff secured a hard-fought victory against Donna Vekic, the 34th-ranked player in the world, advancing to the next round. The match, played on Thursday, was a rollercoaster ride for Gauff, with moments of struggle and triumph.
The first set was particularly challenging for Gauff. The pressure of being the home favourite and the ailing serve took a toll on her, resulting in three consecutive service breaks and a difficult 7-6(5) first set. Gauff was visibly shaken on court, with moments of tears and nervousness between points. At one point, she was seen crying into her towel during a changeover.
However, Gauff found her footing in the second set. She won the set comfortably (6-2), securing her place in the next round with a final score of 7-6(5), 6-2. This victory marks Gauff's continued bid for a second US Open title.
After the match, Gauff attributed her struggles during the first set to nerves and pressure. She also expressed gratitude for the inspiration provided by Simone Biles, the legendary American gymnast who has openly managed her anxiety by prioritizing mental health, taking breaks from competition when needed, and speaking publicly about the importance of psychological well-being in sports. Gauff mentioned that Biles' story and presence helped her during the match.
Gauff's serve has been a point of concern this season, with 320 double faults, the most on the WTA Tour. Eight of these double faults occurred during her match against Vekic. However, Gauff has been working diligently with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan to rebuild her service motion ahead of the US Open.
Looking ahead, Gauff will face Poland's Magdalena Frech in the next round on Saturday. With the support of Biles and her own resilience, Gauff is poised to continue her journey in the US Open.
