Coco Gauff bursts into tears mid-match in concerning US Open moment

Coco Gauff said seeing Olympic champion Simone Biles in the Arthur Ashe Arena inspired her to fight through the tears and reach the US Open third round. The double Grand Slam cried on court as she sent down seven more double faults in an error-strewn first set against Donna Vekic.

The 2023 champion here recovered to win 7-6 6-2 in the first match of the evening session on the main court. In her post-match courtside interview, she fought back more tears as she thanked the four-time Olympic champion and the New York crowd. “Honestly, I saw her, and honestly, she helped me pull it out,” said the world No.3. “I was just thinking, if she can go on a six-inch beam and do that with all the pressures of the world, then I can hit the ball in this 75…I don’t know how big this court is.

“So, yeah, I saw her late in the second getting interviewed by ESPN. Yeah, it brought me a little bit of calm, just knowing her story with all the things she went through mentally.

“So she’s an inspiration, surely, and her presence definitely did help me today. We appreciate the time.”

Biles withdrew from the 2020 Olympics because of mental health issues after suffering from “horrific abuse” by the US team doctor.

The American superstar hired sports biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan after sending down 23 double faults in Montreal last month.

She still sent down 10 in her first round match and a total of eight yesterday - and had her serve broken four times in the first set.

Gauff added: “Honestly, today was a tough match for me, but I’m just happy with how I was able to manage.

Gauff added: “Honestly, today was a tough match for me, but I’m just happy with how I was able to manage.

“It’s been a rough couple weeks, but I’m just happy to be back on this court, and you guys bring me so much joy.

“You guys really help me a lot. I’m doing this for myself but I am also doing it for you, and no matter how tough it gets inside, you can do it.

“I feed off it a lot. Yeah, I mean I’ve had some tough moments on this court, and you guys pull me through each time, so I really do appreciate it.

“That first set was tough for me, but you guys stayed cheering for me, so I really thank you guys.

“I was just trying to tell myself to breathe and honestly just putting another ball on the court and just trying to remember the things that I do well.

“I honestly don’t remember a lot at the end of the first set, to be honest. But it’s kind of amazing that I was able to get out of that one.

“Once I was able to reset, I went to the bathroom, splashed some water on my face, and after that I felt a lot better out here. The second set was obvously a lot better.”

In her ESPN interview, Gauff showed off her nails. “If I go down, at least I will look good doing it,” she laughed.