Connect with us

CELEBRITIES

Coco Gauff’s unlikely friendship with NBA star Jimmy Butler turned around her tennis career after stunning Wimbledon defeat

Published

on

 

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.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NEWS14 minutes ago

Shocking news: Oilers announce Trent Frederic is stepping away from hockey due to health issues. Trent Frederic is dealing with a hip issue that will require bilateral femur reconstruction, with no guarantee of success. Full details 👇

NEWS5 hours ago

Jury Deadlocked on Key Charge in Sean “Diddy” Combs Sex Trafficking Trial….Watch live

ROYAL FAMILY10 hours ago

SAD NEW! Princess Charlotte broke down in tears when the Palace announced her mother Kate’s ‘type of cancer’: ‘I am terrified and heartbroken, actually, my mother has…’ See more below 👇👇👇

NEWS22 hours ago

Brady Tkachuk goes ballistic after being crowned “The Worst Captain in All Sports” Full story 👇

ROYAL FAMILY23 hours ago

Thomas Markle ANGRY, SPILLS ALL Meghan’s Dirty Laundering After Harry Threatens Him With New Memoir.😮😲 The saga of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle never seems to lose its allure, as the dramatic interplay between them and the rest of the royal family continues to unfold. More details in the … 👇👇👇

NEWS1 day ago

Shocking news: Oilers announce Trent Frederic is stepping away from hockey due to health issues. Trent Frederic is dealing with a hip issue that will require bilateral femur reconstruction, with no guarantee of success. Full details 👇

ROYAL FAMILY1 day ago

NFL Star Talks About Being Harry and Meghan’s Neighbor At Montecito: ‘I Don’t Think They Are…’

ROYAL FAMILY1 day ago

Catherine’s HEARTBREAKING Confession After Secret Fourth Child’s Birth Shakes the WORLD: “DNA results confirm the rumor.”… See more below 👇👇👇

NEWS1 day ago

BREAKING: NHL fans and Edmonton Oilers teammates shed tears and pray together for Connor Mcdavid and his family following heartbreaking announcement. Full video 👇

ROYAL FAMILY1 day ago

No Longer a Secret! Pope Leo XIV Finally Reveals the Truth About Princess Catherine: Long-Standing Rumors Confirmed, All of Britain in Shock… See more below 👇👇👇

NEWS2 days ago

BREAKING: Edmonton Oilers Hockey Superstar Connor McDavid Donates His Entire Three-Month Salary to Cover Medical Expenses for a Homeless Heart Patient — NHL Fans Moved to Tears by the Emotional Story Behind His Act. Full story 👇

ROYAL FAMILY2 days ago

Breaking News:Prince William revealed Lilibet’s DNA test results, prompting applause from the entire royal family: “I deeply regret to announce that Lilibet is the biological daughter of…” See more below 👇👇👇

Copyright © 2024 UKtalkin