Coco Gauff struggled emotionally during her U.S. Open second-round match against Donna Vekic but continued to play and won 7-6 (5), 6-2. She became tearful on court and later expressed gratitude to the crowd for their support. Gauff said seeing Simone Biles in the stands and being reminded of Biles's mental health challenges calmed her and helped her finish the match. Gauff named Biles and Serena Williams on her athletic "Mount Rushmore." Biles attended specifically to watch Gauff, praised her performance, and the two athletes met after the match.
Coco Gauff was struggling for the second time in as many matches this week at the U.S. Open. At one point during her second-round match against Donna Vekic on Thursday in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world's No. 3-ranked player became overwhelmed and couldn't stop the tears from flowing. Gauff played through it all, however, and advanced with a 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory. She became emotional again afterward as she thanked the crowd for its support.
"Honestly, I saw her and ... she helped me pull it out," said Gauff, who later told reporters that her "Mount Rushmore of athletes" consisted of Biles and tennis legend Serena Williams. "I was just thinking if she could go on a six-inch beam and do that, with all the pressures of the world, then I can hit the ball in this 75 - I don't know how big this court is.
Gauff indicated that one member of the crowd in particular provided extra inspiration during the match - U.S. gymnastics legend Simone Biles. The seven-time Olympic gold medalist has been open about her mental health struggles during a career in which she has also won 23 world titles. "She's incredible, amazing, and it's like, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Biles said. "It's just such a privilege to watch her on home soil and watch Black Girl Magic."
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