Coco Gauffis facing one of the toughest stretches of her career, averaging seven double faults per match this season. At the US Open, that struggle was on full display as she fought to keep her composure under the crushing weight of expectations. Every serve felt heavier, every point carried the pressure of the home crowd. And in the middle of it all, the frustration spilled out in tears.
When tears turned into fight
But in the stands sat Simone Biles, the Olympic icon whose own battles with mental health have reshaped the way the sports world views pressure. Spotting Biles became a turning point. Gauff found strength in knowing that even the most dominant athletes can be vulnerable-yet still rise to greatness.
At just 21 years old, Gauff has already carved her place among the world’s best, sitting at No. 3 in the rankings with two Grand Slam titles to her name-the 2023 US Open and the 2024 French Open. But with the pressure of playing at home and her serve betraying her, the mental game took its toll. She leads the WTA Tour with 320 double faults this season, and eight of them nearly derailed her match against Croatia’s Donna Veki.
Still, Gauff refused to let the numbers define her. Between the tears and the frustration, she tapped into something deeper. Seeing Biles in the stands reminded her that strength doesn’t always mean perfection-it’s about surviving the moments when your mind tries to convince you that you can’t.
Biles’ presence made all the difference
Nobody expected the simple presence of Simone Biles to shift the energy, but it did. Just knowing that the gymnast who once stepped away from competition to prioritize her mental health was there, gave Coco perspective. Biles has proven that greatness isn’t only about medals but also about knowing when to pause, reset, and come back stronger.
That example was everything Gauff needed. She steadied her emotions, channeled her anxiety, and battled her way past Veki. During a medical timeout for her opponent, Coco even practiced her serve-and this time, not a single one missed the mark. With the crowd calmer and Biles watching, she found peace on the court and secured her spot in the next round.
A win beyond the scoreboard
This moment was bigger than just advancing at the US Open. It was a reminder that mental health can shape careers as much as physical ability. For Gauff, the inspiration drawn from Simone Biles wasn’t about copying her path-it was about realizing that strength is built in the mind as much as in the body.
And as she walked back onto the court with fresh determination, Coco proved that sometimes, the difference between breaking down and breaking through is simply knowing you’re not alone in the fight.
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