Coco Gauff follows Olympian Gabby Thomas’ winning mantra en route to French Open title

Coco Gauff won her second major title at the age of 21 by winning the French Open and defeating world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on Saturday. The American tennis sensation followed the winning mantra of American Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas.

Coco Gauff won her first French Open title, winning 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff is now 6-5 overall against Sabalenka in their overall head-to-head record; their rivalry has intensified over the last five years, with multiple dramatic matches and close finishes. Gauff has also broken the ten-year drought for America at the French Open. Gauff became the first American tennis player to conquer the title after Serena Williams (2015).

Gauff followed the same mantra of manifestation that Gabby Thomas did before winning her Olympic gold in Paris. Gauff wrote a note to herself before the summit clash against Sabalenka, saying that she would win the French Open in 2025. Gauff posted an Instagram story showcasing the same and made it clear how her act was inspired by Thomas.

"ignore my handwriting but I saw @gabbythomas do this, had to do the same lol"

Screenshot of Coco Gauff's Instagram story (@cocogauff/ig)

Gabby Thomas' mantra of manifestation took the Olympian to a gold medal podium finish at the Olympics in the women's 200m category. Thomas manifested that she would win the race, and that gave her a lot of self-belief. Thomas publicly stated how her act of manifestation helped her in her journey to an Olympic gold medal in Paris. Just like Gabby Thomas, Gauff also manifested her win.

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Coco Gauff shares gratitude and reflects on her French Open win

Gauff's story is also a story of an eighteen-year-old girl who was disappointed by her loss in the French Open finals in 2022 and was determined to redeem herself. Gauff achieved redemption by winning the prestigious Roland Garros. The 21-year-old tennis sensation shared her gratitude towards God and everyone who has supported her in the journey.

"wow. this means so much to me truly….french open champion🥹 i worked so hard for this moment and for it to have happened is insane. thank you God ❤️ and thank you everyone. this means the world…. I ‘m still in shock honestly can’t find the words but all I can say for now is just thank you and never give up on your dreams🫶🏾"

Since her less-than-successful campaign at the Miami Open, Coco Gauff has won 18 matches out of 21 and has reached three successive finals in Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros. Her coach, Jean-Christophe Faurel, lauded Gauff as a mentally strong player.

"One of her greatest strengths is her mentality. She never gives up. She often makes the difference thanks to her strength of character," he told French Open.

Coco Gauff's first Grand Slam title win was at the 2023 US Open, where she defeated Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, and 6-2.