The US Open 2025 has already delivered its share of drama, but no moment has been more raw and human than seeing Coco Gauff cry on court while fighting through nerves, pressure, and serving struggles — only to emerge victorious.
The 21-year-old American, seeded No. 2 and defending champion, defeated Donna Vekic 7-6(5), 6-2 in a tense second-round clash inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Despite producing eight double faults and nearly unraveling in the first set, Gauff somehow found the resilience to reset, regroup, and take control of the match.
Coco Gauff overcomes nerves and tears at the US Open
Gauff’s emotions spilled over early in the match, breaking down in tears after a string of double faults left her trailing. Covering her face with a towel during changeovers, she struggled to regain composure as the crowd rallied behind her.
“It was just nerves and pressure, honestly,” Gauff admitted afterwards. “There’s been a lot on me this tournament, more than usual. What you saw out there was what it was — a tough moment, but I was able to reset through it.”
That reset came at just the right time. After narrowly surviving the opening set, Gauff returned from a locker room break with renewed confidence. Her serve steadied, her defense sharpened, and she dominated the second set without facing a single break point.
Simone Biles: A source of inspiration
What helped Gauff in her toughest moment? Looking into the stands and seeing Simone Biles. The Olympic gymnastics legend, who famously battled the “twisties” at Tokyo 2020 before returning to win gold at Paris 2024, became a symbol of resilience for Gauff mid-match.
“I saw her, and she helped me pull it out,” Gauff said. “If she can go on a six-inch beam with all the pressure in the world, I can hit the ball in. That thought gave me calm.”
Biles’ presence — alongside celebrities like Queen Latifah — brought star power to Ashe, but more importantly, it gave Gauff the mental boost she needed to turn tears into triumph.
A rare club and what comes next
With the win, Gauff not only advanced to the third round but also joined a rare club: 57 WTA-level wins on American soil since 2020, more than Ons Jabeur and trailing only Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Jessica Pegula.
Next up, she faces Poland’s Magdalena Frech. Having battled through nerves and anxiety, Gauff hopes this emotional test becomes the turning point in her campaign to win a second Grand Slam of 2025 — and defend her crown in New York.