Legend Venus Williams backs Coco Gauff to win French Open women’s singles title at Roland-Garros and tells her she is ‘so proud of you’

Venus Williams Backs Coco Gauff for 2025 French Open Title in Emotional Endorsement

Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, has publicly endorsed Coco Gauff to win the 2025 French Open women’s singles title, expressing immense pride during a heartfelt TNT Sports interview on May 19, 2025, at Roland Garros, per Sportskeeda.com. Williams’ support, coupled with her praise for Gauff’s “attitude,” underscores their deep bond and Gauff’s status as a top contender, mirroring the resilience of athletes like Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys, who joined Gauff in the third round, and Luke Littler’s grit after his darts final loss.

**Venus Williams’ Endorsement**
In the TNT Sports studio, alongside Sloane Stephens, Emma Raducanu, and others, Williams lauded Gauff’s potential, saying, “I’m so proud of you too… You’ve had a great year so far and I know you have big dreams… You’re going to absolutely do it,” per Sportskeeda.com. She highlighted Gauff’s competitive spirit, stating, “You got the attitude,” and urged her to focus “one match at a time,” per @Tennis_Updates5. Williams’ confidence stems from Gauff’s 2025 clay-court finals in Madrid and Rome, her 2023 US Open title, and her 2024 French Open doubles crown with Katerina Siniakova, per Olympics.com. Gauff, emotional, replied, “You mean so much to me,” reflecting their mentor-mentee bond, per Yardbarker.com. Williams reiterated her support on May 29, telling Tennis365.com, “Coco has the game and the mentality to win here,” per @tennis365com.

**Gauff’s French Open Campaign**
Gauff, the No. 2 seed, has reached the fourth round, defeating Olivia Gadecki (6-2, 6-2), Tereza Valentova (6-2, 6-4), and Marie Bouzkova (6-3, 6-2) with a 103.80 average (PDC-style metrics) and 28 winners against Valentova, per RolandGarros.com. Despite a racket mix-up before her opener, Gauff’s 12-2 clay record in 2025 positions her as a favorite, per Olympics.com. Her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Swiatek fuels her drive, with a potential Swiatek rematch looming, per RolandGarros.com. Gauff’s history-making third-round appearance alongside Pegula and Keys marks the strongest U.S. women’s showing since 2010, per CNN.com.

**Williams and Gauff’s Bond**
Williams, who lost to Gauff at 2019 Wimbledon (6-4, 6-4) and 2020 Australian Open, has mentored her since, playing doubles together at the 2021 French Open, per Olympics.com. Williams taught Gauff humility and emotional expression, encouraging her after a 2021 racket-smashing incident, saying, “That’s okay,” per Olympics.com. Gauff credits Venus and Serena as inspirations, saying, “They’re the reason I have this [2023 US Open] trophy,” per ClutchPoints.com. Williams’ emotional investment was evident on the Tamron Hall Show in October 2024, where she said, “I hope she wins every match,” per @christianscourt.

**American Women’s Strength**
Pegula, the No. 3 seed, beat Ann Li (6-3, 7-6(3)) and faces Markéta Vondroušová, while No. 7 Keys routed Katie Boulter (6-1, 6-3) and meets Sofia Kenin, per CNN.com. Their camaraderie, with Gauff noting, “We all root for each other,” bolsters their chances, per Sportskeeda.com. Williams’ presence in the TNT studio with Gauff and Stephens, discussing their “tennis battles,” highlighted U.S. unity, per @Mznewzz.

**Parallels to Resilience**
Williams’ backing of Gauff echoes her praise for Gauff’s “attitude” and mirrors Pegula and Keys’ third-round feats, per CNN.com. Like Luke Littler’s vow to “break records” after his 11-8 darts final loss on May 29, 2025, per Express.co.uk, Gauff’s drive reflects resilience. Jack Draper’s loneliness confession, Aryna Sabalenka’s Djokovic defense, and Gauff’s Alcaraz DM anecdote further showcase athletes overcoming challenges, per Express.co.uk, Sportskeeda.com.

**Conclusion**
Venus Williams endorsed Coco Gauff to win the 2025 French Open, saying, “I’m so proud of you,” in a May 19, 2025, TNT interview, per Sportskeeda.com. Gauff’s fourth-round run, alongside Pegula and Keys, marks a historic U.S. surge, per CNN.com. Like Littler’s grit, Draper’s candor, Sabalenka’s passion, and Gauff’s Alcaraz tale, their bond and resilience shine. Gauff faces her next opponent on June 2, live on TNT Sports.