CELEBRITIES
Coco Gauff’s unlikely friendship with NBA star Jimmy Butler turned around her tennis career after stunning Wimbledon defeat
Gauff is currently making her way through the 2024 Wimbledon women’s field, attempting to build off a strong run at the recent French Open.
But last year was not a good year for Gauff at SW19.
The American star fell in three sets to an unseeded Sofia Kenin in 2023.
With other major tournaments approaching, one of the toughest basketball players in the world gave Gauff the perspective that she needed for a summer recharge.
Few NBA fans knew that Jimmy Butler was a serious tennis lover.
But it became impossible to ignore last summer, as Butler spent time at the US Open and connected with Gauff.
“He has that mentality really of, you know, no matter what the odds are against him, he’s gonna give it his all,” Gauff said.
“I think he’s just one of those athletes [where] the mentality makes his game even better. You have people that are talented and don’t have the mentality. I think he has the talent and the mentality. It’s just taking him even further.
“Between Wimbledon and the next tournament I played, nothing could have really changed that much. It was really just the mental thing. I think that’s what I learned from watching Jimmy compete over the years
After Butler championed Gauff last year, she shook off her Wimbledon first-round stunner to triumph at the US Open and win her first major.
“I have been focusing more on myself and my expectations of myself,” Gauff said. “I really believe that now I have the maturity and ability to do it.”
After Butler championed Gauff last year, she shook off her Wimbledon first-round stunner to triumph at the US Open and win her first major.
“I have been focusing more on myself and my expectations of myself,” Gauff said. “I really believe that now I have the maturity and ability to do it.”
Gauff was also inspired by his dedication and focus, which included overcoming homelessness.
“I just love the competition aspect of (tennis),” Butler said. “It’s like 1-on-1 competition at its finest. I have a lot of friends that I’m fans of.
“(Coco) is so emotional in a good way. She’s a champion and I love that she’s from the city that I work in.
“I just love to … support her, so I want her to win every single time.”
Gauff is seeded No. 2 at Wimbledon this year.
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