Coco Gauff Shares How Simone Biles Served as Inspiration for US Open Win

Coco Gauff, who won her Aug. 28 match against Donna Vekic at the 2025 US Open, detailed how Simone Biles influenced her to ace the game. 

By Adrianne Reece Aug 29, 2025 5:07 PM
| Updated Aug 29, 2025 7:53 PM
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Watch: Coco Gauff Shares How Simone Biles Served as Inspiration for US Open Win

Coco Gauff is sending flowers from the court.  

Shortly after the tennis star won her second round match against Donna Vekic at the 2025 US Open on Aug. 28, she shared how Simone Biles—who was in attendance—inspired her to keep her eye on the ball.  

“She helped me pull it out,” Coco, 21, explained in her post-game interview on the court. “I thought, ‘If she can go on a six-inch beam with all the pressures in the world, then I can hit the ball into this court.’ It brought me a little bit of calm, just knowing her story with all the things she went through mentally. She is an inspiration and her presence helped me today.”

Indeed, the Olympic gymnast, 28, was in the stands as Coco praised her athleticismand fittingly, the cameras showed her reaction. Simone, 28, smiled and proudly yelled, “I love you!” and Coco returned the love by forming her hands into a heart. 

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Tennis Star Coco Gauff Reveals How She’s Preparing for 2025 US Open 

That wasn’t the end of her sweet words, as the Grand Slam champion revealed she also spoke with Simone after the intense game.  

“She’s one of the greatest athletes,” Coco told reporters in another post-match interview. “Her and Serena [Williams] are on my Mount Rushmore of athletes. To see her there tonight gave me the reminder I needed. I was lucky to just come from talking to her, so I was able to tell her that in person.”

Similar to their earlier interaction, their meet up was just as touching. In a brief video from the exchange, the two champions hugged before Simone gave Coco her well-deserved roses. 

“Gymnastics is so different, so I just wanted to scream, ‘Go Coco!’ But then they were like, ‘Maybe not right now,’” the gold medalist teased. “But no, congrats! I love watching you, everything you do.” 

And when the tennis star isn’t meeting her idols, she’s also receiving love from another one of her biggest supporters: her boyfriend Jalen Sera. In fact, Coco shared that her partner gives her the best pep talks after a tough match. 

“He’s always telling me to trust the process,” Coco told E! News on Aug. 24. “Just know that I’ve already accomplished a lot and there’s no need to be so negative. That’s kind of what my whole team, my parents, everybody says. I’m someone that can criticize myself a lot, so I just try to make sure that I stay positive.”

Keep reading to see more stars that attended the 2025 US Open…

Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling & B.J. Novak

Dunder Mifflin for life! The Office stars reunited to take a selfie as they watched the Men's Singles Final on Sept. 7.

Cardi B

The rapper celebrated her performance at Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves’ US Open After Party with a side of Chicken Fingers at Chez Margaux in New York City.

Bowen Yang

Live from New York, it's the US Open! The SNL star raised a spritz to celebrate the women's semi-finals from the Aperol suite. 

Logan Paul & Nina Agdal

The newlyweds enjoyed the match on Sept. 7 from Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves’ US Open Suite.

Amaya Espinal

The Love Island winner waved to fans as she arrived at the Cadillac Suite inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sept. 4.

Emma Roberts

The American Horror Story actress was sporting a Ralph Lauren ensemble as she arrived at the US Open on Sept. 4.

Jeremy Allen White & Ebon Moss-Bachrach

Yes, chef! The stars of The Bear cheered on the players inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sept. 4.

Dylan Efron

The new Dancing With the Stars cast member visited the Aperol Spritz suite at the US Open wearing the cable knit sweater from the cocktail's new Tennis Collection. 

Brooke Williamson & Bobby Flay

The Top Chef winner and Food Network star packed on the PDA while watching the women's singles semifinals on Sept. 4.

Alexandra Daddario

The White Lotus alum looked fab on the US Open blue carpet on Sept. 4.

Orlando Bloom

The actor was in attendance to watch the women's singles semi-final matches on Sept. 4.

Laverne Cox

The actress posed for pics inside the Cadillac Suite at the US Open on Sept. 1.

Owen Wilson & Ben Stiller

The Zoolander co-stars caught up while courtside at the tournament on Sept. 2.

Issa Rae

The Insecure creator and actress swung by the blue carpet during her visit to the US Open on Sept. 2.

Abbott Elementary cast

School's out! Chris Perfetti, Tyler James Williams, Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter enjoy a field trip to the US Open on Aug. 30.

Brooks Nader

The Love Thy Nader star is spotted inside the Cadillac Suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Aug. 31.

Lindsay Lohan & Bader Shammas

The Freakier Friday star and her husband enjoyed watching the tennis from inside the Cadillac Suite.

Simone Ashley

The Bridgerton actress looked cozy in Polo Ralph Lauren bear sweater as she arrived at the US Open on Sept. 1.

Skyler Gisondo

The Righteous Gemstones star kicked back with a can of Heineken 0.0 from the stands on Aug. 29.

Steve Carell

Cheese! The Office alum kindly posed for a selfie with fans during the Carlos Alcaraz vs. Luciano Darderi match on Aug. 29.

Jeremy Allen White

The Bear star cooked up a smart casual look as he attended the tennis tournament on Labor Day.

Elizabeth Banks

The Hunger Games actress brings her finest tennis Labubu to the tournament on Aug. 31.

Katie Holmes

The Dawson's Creek alum posed for a pic before taking her seat inside the Cadillac Suite.

Ciara & kids

The singer brought along her kids Future and Sienna to watch the tennis action on Sept. 1.

Anna Wintour & Rami Malek

The Vogue boss and Bohemian Rhapsody actor watch a men's singles match together on Sept. 1.

Queen Latifah

The actress and rapper was having a ball watching the gameplay on Aug. 28.

Simone Biles

The record-breaking Olympic gymnast was in the crowd to watch Coco Gauff win her second round match on Aug. 28, and proved to be inspirational for her fellow American.

Andrew Scott

The Irish actor looked sharp in a light green ensemble as he sat courtside on Aug. 28.

Lin-Manuel Miranda & Jasmine Cephas Jones

The Hamilton creator reunited with his co-star to watch the world's best tennis players take their shot at the US Open.

Jonathan van Ness

The Queer Eye star and podcast host brought a pop of color to the US Open on Aug. 28.

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