19-year-old American tennis sensation Coco Gauff has been turning heads with her phenomenal run at the 2022 U.S. Open. Just two months after an embarrassing first round exit at Wimbledon, Gauff finds herself in the quarterfinals in New York. According to Gauff, she credits NBA star Jimmy Butler and his competitive mentality for fueling her renewed focus and ascent at Flushing Meadows this year.
Read More | USC HC Andy Enfield On Bronny James’ Current Condition Following Cardiac Arrest
Coco Gauff Using Jimmy Butler’s Mentality to Fuel Her U.S. Open Run
After her disappointing loss at the All England Club in June, Gauff took some time to reset mentally. As she puts it, “That switch I had in the last couple weeks. People think some incredible thing happened. 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.”
Gauff says she found inspiration watching Jimmy Butler compete in the NBA playoffs for the Miami Heat. Butler is known for his intense work ethic, toughness, and relentless will to win. Gauff has tried to emulate Butler’s mindset and bring that kind of competitive fire to her own game.
Coco Gauff credits Jimmy Butler for her ascension
“That switch I had in the last couple weeks. people think some incredible thing happened. But realistically, the two weeks between Wimbledon and the next tournament I played, nothing could have really changed that much. It was… pic.twitter.com/yFz0LOkfb0
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 30, 2023
“I think that’s what I learned from watching Jimmy compete over the years,” Gauff explained. As per her it’s not about how a player plays every match, but it’s that competitive spirit he has, that I think I have as well.
That renewed competitive vigor was on full display as Gauff stormed to the title at the Cincinnati Open right before the U.S. Open began. She scored a statement victory over world #1 Iga Swiatek in the final.
Gauff has carried that momentum into Flushing Meadows. After cruising through her first three matches, she pulled off a gritty come-from-behind win over Zhang Shuai in the fourth round. Now in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, the young American looks poised to make a deep run.
With her combination of youthful talent and veteran-like composure, plus some inspiration from Jimmy Butler’s winner mentality, Coco Gauff may be the woman to watch as she continues chasing tennis history at the U.S. Open. Her breakthrough in New York would represent a long-awaited first Grand Slam title for American women’s tennis.