Big stages can bring out the best and the most vulnerable moments in athletes, and Coco Gauff proved that in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 20-year-old fan favourite battled through nerves, tears, and pressure to defeat Croatia’s Donna Vekic 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 in a tense Round 2 clash that lasted just under two hours.
A Special Encounter With Simone Biles
Before stepping on court, Gauff had an unforgettable moment—meeting Simone Biles, one of her sporting idols.
She recalled first seeing Biles at the Rio Olympics and admitted the memory has always stuck with her.
“For me, she’s on my Mount Rushmore of athletes with Serena,” Gauff said.
“Everything she went through mentally in her sport is something I try to learn from.”
Shaken by the Pressure
Despite her eventual victory, Gauff was visibly shaken during the match.
At one point in the first set, trailing 6-5, cameras caught her trembling in her chair during the changeover. She later admitted it was pure nerves.
“It was just pressure, honestly.
Usually I thrive in those moments, but this time it hit me harder than I expected,” she explained.
“There’s been a lot more on me this tournament than usual, and I had to reset quickly to keep going.”
Tears on the Court
In an emotional confession, Gauff shared what it felt like to cry on court in front of thousands.
“It feels human,” she said. “People forget that athletes are people too.
That moment showed the pressure, but also what it’s like to be real.
Everyone has bad days, and I had to remind myself it’s about how you stand up after them.”
A Stronger Second Set
What made the win even more impressive was how Gauff rebounded in the second set.
She steadied her serve, cut down on double faults, and controlled the game.
“I think the encouragement came from how I served,” she smiled.
“The first set was shaky, but in the second set, I really found my rhythm.
That’s something I’ll hold on to for the rest of my career.”
Lessons That Will Last
Looking ahead, Gauff knows these tough early matches will serve her well in future Grand Slam battles.
“If I can get through matches like these, feeling the way I did, I know I can get through anything,” she reflected.
“Hopefully I’ll have more finals, and when nerves come, I’ll think back to this moment—because it probably won’t get worse than this.”
A Human Side to a Rising Champion
Gauff’s honesty and resilience resonated deeply with the crowd in New York.
Her win wasn’t just about advancing in the tournament—it was a reminder of the human side of sport, the pressure that comes with expectations, and the strength it takes to rise above them.
