After being upset during her U.S. Open first-round win, Coco Gauff‘s mood brightened when she unexpectedly met former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama just before her post-match press conference.
Gauff’s mood improved after her comeback win, and she humorously noted that meeting the Obamas made her say nicer things than planned. The tennis star texted about how much it brightened her mood. The Obamas appreciated her sportsmanship when she expressed frustration to the umpire about her opponent’s slow pace during the match.
She expressed that meeting the Obamas was unforgettable, shifting her mood from upset to happy. They gave her valuable advice, including the importance of speaking up for herself, which Michelle Obama appreciated during the match, according to the New York Post.
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Gauff expressed her frustration during her match against Laura Siegemund, who also complained about the pace. Gauff regretted not speaking up earlier because she didn’t enjoy confrontation. She wanted to voice her frustration but also avoid any extreme conflicts during the match, she said.
After a tense first-round win at the U.S. Open, Gauff felt better following her meeting with the Obamas. She was grateful for their advice, especially Michelle Obama’s encouragement to speak up for herself. The 19-year-old was surprised to learn that the Obamas were in the audience at her match. She initially noticed a Secret Service presence but didn’t know who exactly was attending. After the match, she found out that both Michelle Obama and Barack Obama wanted to greet her, which left her pleasantly surprised. She had previously met Michelle Obama but was excited to see Barack Obama as well.
The Obamas attended the U.S. Open to commemorate 50 years of equal prize money for male and female competitors at Flushing Meadows. Michelle Obama expressed her honor in celebrating this milestone and acknowledged Billie Jean King’s role in it on her social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter).
Billie Jean King’s impact extended beyond tennis, transforming the future for women and girls both on and off the court. Gauff is set to play against 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva of Russia in the second round on Wednesday.
