“Why is he coming to watch me play,” Coco Gauff admits to being ‘STARSTRUCK’ after spotting Jimmy Butler, Hailey, and Justin Bieber during her US Open match against Elise Mertens

Coco Gauff defeated Elise Mertens in her third-round match at the 2023 US Open as top American celebrities watched her from sidelines.

“Why is he coming to watch me play,” Coco Gauff admits to being ‘STARSTRUCK’ after spotting Jimmy Butler, Hailey, and Justin Bieber during her US Open match against Elise Mertens

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber, Coco Gauff (Images via US Open X)

American tennis ace Coco Gauff admitted that she was left starstruck to see the likes of Justin Bieber and Jimmy Butler in the stands during her third-round match at the 2023 US Open. As Gauff took on Elise Mertens at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday, Miami Heat player Jimmy Butler, American singer Justin Bieber, and his wife Hailey Bieber came to watch the match. 

All three American celebrities were seen having a good time as the local girl ousted her Belgian opponent. Hailey and Justin were also seen cheering for the 19-year-old American as she fought her way back after being one set down. Gauff, meanwhile, talked about the feeling she had after spotting them in the stands.

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Gauff revealed that while she was not surprised to see Butler in the stands, spotting Justin Bieber was definitely a surprise for her as she had been listening to the singer since she was a kid. “I was definitely starstruck with Justin Bieber. Never Say Never was 1 of my favorite songs as a kid. And Baby Oh Baby. I could go through all his songs.. & then Hailey too,” said Gauff at the press conference.

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“Jimmy Butler…he’s come to a couple of my matches so I wasn’t as surprised. I’m just like ‘This guy is busy. Why is he coming to watch me play?’”

Also Read: WATCH: Coco Gauff announces Novak Djokovic on the Arthur Ashe to a massive cheer from the fans at the US Open 

Coco Gauff won’t go down without a fight

Coco Gauff USO
Coco Gauff (Image via US Open)

The 19-year-old American had a tough game in her third-round match as Coco Gauff lost the first set 3-6. However, the Cincinnati Masters winner gathered herself and came back storming in the second set, winning it 6-3. Gauff further asserted her dominance as she won the final set one-sided. Gauff did not drop a game and clinched her third win at the Flushing Meadows. 

Talking about her match, Gauff said these three-setters prove that she won’t go without a fight even if she loses the first set. “When you lose the first set, you have to show that you have to leave that energy in the first set,” Gauff said. “The three setters show that I’m not going down without a fight.” Gauff, after winning her third-round match, will now face Caroline Wozniacki in the pre-quarterfinals.

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