**Coco Gauff’s Italian Open Triumph Draws Noah Lyles’ Praise**
Coco Gauff’s commanding run to the Italian Open final on May 18, 2025, earned her a heartfelt shoutout from Olympic sprint champion Noah Lyles. Gauff, aged 21, clinched the title—her biggest on clay—defeating Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-3 in a 95-minute masterclass at the Foro Italico. Her path included a 6-1, 6-2 rout of Emma Raducanu, a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-5 semifinal win over Zheng Qinwen, and a quarter-final victory against Peyton Stearns. Lyles, who bonded with Gauff at the 2024 Paris Olympics, took to social media to celebrate, posting on X, “Big congrats to @CocoGauff for that Rome title! Clay queen in the making!” His support echoes their growing friendship, which began when Lyles offered career advice during the Olympics, urging Gauff to “fully embrace her greatness” on big stages.
Lyles, a six-time Olympic medalist, has consistently championed Gauff, previously praising her 2024 WTA Finals comeback. Their connection deepened in Paris, where Gauff, a U.S. flag bearer, discussed track with Lyles, who jokingly suggested she’d excel as a 400-meter hurdler—though Gauff admitted to Tennis.com, “I’m kind of scared of hurdles.” Gauff’s Rome performance, with 83% first-serve points won against Paolini and 22 winners against Raducanu, per TennisViz, solidified her as a French Open favorite. Lyles’ endorsement, amplified by fans on X calling their bond “inspiring,” highlights Gauff’s rising star power as she eyes Roland Garros (May 25–June 8).
