While competing at the US Open this year, Coco Gauff has had the support of Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.
Gauff, who is ranked No. 6 in the official women’s tennis rankings, has won both of her matches during the opening rounds of the US Open tournament in New York. The 19-year-old Gauff won her most recent match against Mirra Andreeva in straight sets.
She is already off to a much better start at the US Open than she had at Wimbledon in London earlier this summer when she was eliminated in the first round by Sofia Kenin.
According to Gauff, recently crowned champion at both the Washington Open and the Western & Southern Open, it is mostly a mentality change that has contributed to her winning ways. Gauff said that so much of that mindset was actually inspired by Butler (via NY Daily News):
“That switch I had in the last couple weeks. people think some incredible thing happened,” the sixth-seeded Gauff said. “But realistically, the two weeks between Wimbledon and the next tournament I played, nothing could have really changed that much. It was really just the mental thing. I think that’s what I learned from watching Jimmy compete over the years.”
Butler is celebrated for his wildly competitive approach on the court, so he is a perfect person to help Gauff channel her mental tenacity.
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Jimmy Butler wants to see Coco Gauff win every match she plays 😤 #USOpen pic.twitter.com/kvOPpf9lcv
— espnW (@espnW) August 30, 2023
While attending the US Open this week, Butler was asked about his friendship with Gauff (via ESPN):
“She is so emotional, in a good way, and she is a champion and I love that she is from the city that I work in and I love to be here and support her and I want her to win every single time.”
Butler, who stole the show at the Stars of the Open Exhibition Match to Benefit Ukraine Relief last week, was seen in the stands looking ultra-focused while Gauff competed on the court.
Game recognize game.
Jimmy Butler was locked in for Coco Gauff's match. 🔒 pic.twitter.com/UnHcKcFSJ8
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2023
Earlier this year, when he spoke to For The Win, the Heat star said that tennis was tied with basketball for his “second-favorite” sport.
As he continues to show his support to Gauff, hopefully, it can help inspire her to keep playing well under the bright lights of the US Open.
