Coco Gauff’s Father Shares Michelle Obama’s Priceless Advice After French Open 2025 Win
Corey Gauff, father of French Open 2025 champion Coco Gauff, revealed the profound gift former First Lady Michelle Obama gave his daughter during a chance meeting: the permission to say “no” to protect her mental health. Speaking to *EssentiallySports* on June 8, 2025, Corey recounted, “She was blessed to meet Michelle Obama… She said, ‘I’m going to give you permission to tell people no, including me. Because sometimes no is yes. You have to protect your own mental health… You can’t say yes to everything,’” per www.essentiallysports.com. This advice, given during Gauff’s 2023 US Open run when she met the Obamas post-match, proved invaluable as Gauff navigated fame after her 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 victory over Aryna Sabalenka on June 7, per www.tennis.com.
At 21, Gauff became the first American woman to win Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015, a milestone celebrated by Michelle Obama on X: “Congrats, @CocoGauff! Your determination, strength, and grace… inspired us all,” per www.irishstar.com. The advice resonated as Gauff, overwhelmed by requests post-2019 Wimbledon, learned to prioritize well-being, a lesson she applied in Paris, per www.sportskeeda.com. Her manifestation note, inspired by Olympian Gabby Thomas, read, “I will win French Open 2025,” reflecting her mental focus, per www.essentiallysports.com.
Corey emphasized the family’s role in keeping Gauff grounded, a strategy aligned with Obama’s counsel. Gauff thanked her parents in her victory speech, saying, “You’ve done a lot… keeping me grounded,” per www.sportskeeda.com. Fans on X, like @TurnjayTurner, noted the Obamas’ support, amplifying the moment’s significance. With $2.9 million in prize money and $34.4 million in 2024 earnings, Gauff’s ability to say “no” ensures she thrives under pressure, per www.foxnews.com.
