Coco Gauff’s Private Conversation with Carlos Alcaraz Inspires Her French Open 2025 Mindset
Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis star, revealed a private conversation with Carlos Alcaraz that has shaped her approach at the 2025 French Open, where she’s reached the semi-finals without dropping a set. In a press conference following her 6-7, 6-4, 6-1 quarter-final win over Madison Keys on June 4, Gauff shared that she confided in Alcaraz, the defending men’s champion, about her desire to emulate his joyful, carefree demeanor on the court. “I’ve told him that I’ve tried to have fun on the court like him and smile as much as he does,” she said, per The Mirror US, noting that his philosophy inspires her to find joy in tennis despite her naturally serious demeanor.[](https://www.themirror.com/sport/tennis/coco-gauff-alcaraz-french-open-1190858)
Gauff, who admitted to ghosting Alcaraz’s Instagram DM in 2019 when he was an unknown junior, has since forged a bond with the now 22-year-old Spaniard, a four-time Grand Slam winner. Their conversation, sparked by Alcaraz’s Netflix docuseries highlighting his emphasis on happiness over achievements, resonated with Gauff as she navigates the pressures of Roland Garros. “Just enjoy life in general, I find you play better,” she told reporters, echoing Alcaraz’s belief that stepping out of the “tennis bubble” enhances performance. Despite not watching the docuseries, Gauff heard about its insights and discussed them with Alcaraz, aiming to adopt his positivity while facing a hostile crowd against French wildcard Lois Boisson in the semi-finals.[](https://www.tennis365.com/french-open/coco-gauff-warning-lois-boisson-carlos-alcaraz-inspiration)
Alcaraz’s influence is evident in Gauff’s relaxed mindset, even after a lighthearted blunder when she forgot her rackets before her first-round match against Olivia Gadecki. “It probably relaxed me going into the match,” she joked to TNT Sports, channeling Alcaraz’s ability to laugh off setbacks. Her run, including a record as the youngest American to reach 20 Roland Garros singles wins, mirrors Alcaraz’s dominance, as he advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 rout of Tommy Paul. As Gauff prepares for Boisson and a potential final against Aryna Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek, her conversation with Alcaraz underscores a shared philosophy among the sport’s young stars, blending fierce competition with genuine enjoyment.
