“I still have more work to do!” Coco Gauff cites Kobe Bryant’s ‘mamba mentality’ while explaining why she doesn’t want to celebrate her semifinal win at US Open

Coco Gauff takes inspiration from legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant.

“I still have more work to do!” Coco Gauff cites Kobe Bryant’s ‘mamba mentality’ while explaining why she doesn’t want to celebrate her semifinal win at US Open

Kobe Bryant, Coco Gauff (Images via: Imago/USOpen.org)

Coco Gauff clashed with Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals of Flushing Meadows on Wednesday. Gauff scored a victory over her Czech opponent in a fierce match and got herself a ticket to her first-ever US Open finals. Later on, the young prodigy revealed the secret behind her mentality in a press conference.

Coco Gauff beat tenth seed Karolina Muchova in a night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Though the Czech tried to give Gauff a hard time, the teenager made sure not to lose her lead. She dominated the first set, scoring 6-4 against Muchova.

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As the match progressed to a second set, protesters present in the stands took the spotlight, eventually disrupting the game. The match resumed after a 30-minute delay. Gauff, however, did not lose her form all this while and beat Muchova 7-5 in the second set.

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For the uninitiated, Gauff recently became the first American teenager to make it to the Final Four at the US Open after Serena Williams in 2001. She will also be playing in the upcoming finals this week. The teenager remained unpretentious and humble when talking about her achievements. She stated, “I have more work to do,” taking inspiration from legendary NBA player Kobe Bryant after her triumph.

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In a press conference following the match, a reporter asked her why she chose to quote Bryant after her match win. “He has an incredible mentality. In the NBA Finals, when they have a 3-1 lead in the series, he doesn’t celebrate,” Gauff explained. “He’s satisfied. He gives himself a pat on the back. But it’s time to move on. That’s the mentality I have.”

“I’m trying to enjoy the moment. But also knowing I still have more work to do,” Gauff stated further. She told the media that her making it to the Finals at the Flushing Meadows is a great achievement. “But it’s something I’m not satisfied with yet,” She added.

Related: Coco Gauff reveals how she ‘anticipated’ a protest happening at the US Open hours before it actually happened during her semifinal clash against Karolina Muchova

Naomi Osaka joins the crowd at Arthur Ashe to witness Coco Gauff win

Gauff, Osaka
Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka (Images via: KPVI, Kompas.id)

Former World No.1, Naomi Osaka was one of the spectators at the semi-final round clash between Karolina Muchova and Coco Gauff on Wednesday. The 25-year-old who admires the teenager had recently stated that she’s “proud of everything she(Gauff) does”. Osaka did not participate in any tournaments this year owing to her pregnancy.

The two-time US Open champion recently announced that she’ll be making a comeback soon. Coco Gauff spoke to Naomi post-match as she recalled the last time they clashed at Flushing Meadows “three years” ago. Osaka had defeated Gauff at the US Open back in 2019. Gauff thanked the 25-year-old for coming and expressed her desire to meet Osaka’s newborn daughter, Shai.

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