Coco Gauff was inspired by gymnast Simone Biles during a difficult US Open second-round match, and she was thrilled to have the chance to speak with the Olympic star.
Biles was watching Gauff defeat Donna Vekic 7-6(5), 6-2, at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night.
Gauff thanked Biles for being there and giving her a boost during her on-court interview, and she delivered the message face-to-face.
Gauff, a Florida native who has won two Grand Slam titles, said Biles’ idea of working on a balance beam gave her the confidence she needed to play tennis on a court.
Gauff, who repeatedly wiped away tears after the game, thanked him for pulling it out. Knowing her story and all the things she went through mentally, it gave me a little bit of calm.
Gauff mentioned Serena Williams and Biles among her Mount Rushmore athletes.
Biles claimed Gauff was the reason she left Flushing Meadows during an interview on ESPN’s telecast of the game.
She is “incredible, amazing, and it’s like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Biles said. It’s truly a privilege to witness her perform “Black girl magic” on her home turf.
Three years after restraining from some of the Tokyo Olympics due to a mental block known as “the twisties,” she was afraid to try some dangerous moves, she won four gold medals and one silver at the 2024 Paris Games.
Gauff praised Biles for “everything she went through on the mental side of things, which I followed closely and tried to learn from.”
Gauff remarked, “Seeing her there tonight kind of reminded me of something I needed.”
Biles applauded Gauff’s sincerity and compassion while also expressing sympathy for the choice to work with her biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan.
Source: Aljazeera
Leave a Reply