Coco Gauff Gets Real About Crying at the US Open and Why Vulnerability is Her Superpower

Coco Gauff was an emotional wreck during her US Open campaign this year.

Coco Gauff Gets Real About Crying at the US Open and Why Vulnerability is Her Superpower

Coco Gauff (Image via X/Coco Gauff Fans)

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If most of us had a bad day at the office, we’d probably hide in the bathroom for five minutes, scroll through Instagram, and pretend it never happened. But when you’re a global tennis superstar like Coco Gauff, your “bad day” is broadcast in high definition to millions of people who suddenly have very strong opinions about your mental fortitude.

In a recent interview, the American tennis sensation opened up about a moment at the 2025 US Open that had everyone talking. No, it wasn’t a smashed racket or an umpire argument—it was tears. She cried mid-match. And you know what? She still won that match. If that isn’t the ultimate flex, I don’t know what is. Gauff said in an interview to FN:

[Earlier in my career], I felt I had to be perfect because I could feel the weight of people looking up to me. But then I found that with my own idols and people I looked up to, it was the moments they were vulnerable that made me feel seen. I don’t have to show up perfect all the time. For me, I just try to show up in all environments as myself. [For instance], at the US Open this year, I was crying to get through the match, and I ended up winning.

One expects athletes to be these unfeeling, robotic winning machines. And when they crack? The armchair critics come out in full force. But Gauff is flipping the script on that outdated narrative, and frankly, it’s about time. She added:

Vulnerability is okay, and the best athletes in the world have vulnerable times. That’s not something you should dim. It’s something that you should show light to. No one’s life is up all the time. It’s all about how you respond in down moments.

It’s easy to forget that Gauff is still incredibly young. She’s been in the spotlight since she was basically a kid, and is carrying the torch for American tennis.

A stellar 2025 season despite the drama

If one listened to the haters, one might think Coco Gauff had a rough year just because she showed some emotion. Speaking about her season, Gauff quipped:

I started off great and didn’t do so well between the American and Middle East swing – and obviously did super well in the clay season and was able to finish the year off strong.

Coco Gauff (via X/Jose Morgado)
Coco Gauff (via X/Jose Morgado)

Her 2025 season was nothing to sneeze at. In fact, it was fantastic. She bagged two titles, including a massive win at the French Open. That’s her second Grand Slam, adding to her 2023 US Open trophy. She finished the year ranked third in the world, trailing only Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.

Sure, she stumbled a bit at Wimbledon and exited the Australian Open in the quarterfinals, but in a sport as brutal as tennis, finishing top three in the world is hardly a “flop.” She acknowledged the rollercoaster herself, noting that she started great, dipped a bit between the American and Middle East swings, and then absolutely crushed the clay season.

What’s next for Coco Gauff in 2026?

Gauff is walking into the 2026 season with a title defense at the United Cup on the agenda and a fresh perspective on mental health. She’s only 21 years old. Gauff has achieved more in a few years than most pros do in a lifetime, and she’s doing it while navigating the intense psychological warfare of pro sports.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Image via X/Coco Gauff News)

She’s learned that she doesn’t need to be a robot to be a champion. She can cry, she can struggle, and she can still hoist the trophy at the end of the day. And honestly? That makes her infinitely more interesting to watch.

We’ll be watching closely at the 2026 Australian Open. If she starts the season with the same fire (and maybe a few healthy tears), there’s no telling how far she’ll go.

Gauff has a chance of closing the gap between herself, Swiatek, and Sabalenka in 2026. A good run in Melbourne can certainly ensure that as she will be under pressure to defend points during the clay court season.

Also Read: Emma Raducanu Calls Out Top Players for ‘Moaning’ About Hectic Tennis Calendar