Coco Gauff demonstrated her class and empathy after a hard-fought second-round victory over 18-year-old Canadian qualifier Victoria Mboko at the 2025 Italian Open, narrowly escaping an upset with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 scoreline. As the two met at the net, Gauff delivered an eight-word message of support: “Keep your head up, okay? You did great.” The moment, captured on footage and widely shared, underscored Gauff’s respect for Mboko’s spirited performance, which had pushed the world No. 3 to her limits on Rome’s clay courts.
Mboko, ranked No. 156, came out firing, breaking Gauff’s serve three times in the first set to claim it 6-3. Her aggressive play, exceptional movement, and flat forehand—qualities Gauff had noted from studying Mboko’s footage, including her strong showing against Paula Badosa at the 2025 Miami Open—made her a formidable opponent. “I felt like I was playing myself,” Gauff said post-match, praising Mboko’s speed. “She moves very well, and her shots are high-level. I knew she’d be tough.” Gauff’s preparation helped her regroup after a shaky start, dominating the final two sets by dropping just three games over 2 hours and 4 minutes.
Gauff’s encouraging words reflected her recognition of Mboko’s potential. The teenager, with 33 wins in 2025 mostly on the ITF circuit, earned her main-draw spot through qualifying and showed no fear against a top player. “She came out playing some great tennis,” Gauff noted in her on-court interview, adding that her own reset after the first set was key. The supportive gesture resonated with fans, with X posts like @TennisFan123 lauding Gauff’s sportsmanship: “Coco’s such a role model for the next gen.”
This victory followed Gauff’s runner-up finish at the Madrid Open, signaling her growing comfort on clay. Her ability to adapt mid-match, combined with her graciousness toward Mboko, highlighted her maturity at 21. As she advances to face Magda Linette in the third round, Gauff’s blend of competitive fire and empathy continues to endear her to fans and peers alike, cementing her status as a leader in women’s tennis.
