“Don’t think I’ll be smiling as much as Carlos Alcaraz” – Coco Gauff reveals one thing she is trying to model off Spaniard
Coco Gauff Aims to Emulate Carlos Alcaraz’s Joyful Approach at French Open 2025
Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and 2023 US Open champion, revealed her admiration for Carlos Alcaraz’s carefree and joyful philosophy, which she’s striving to incorporate into her own game during the 2025 French Open. After securing a semi-final spot with a 6-7, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Madison Keys on June 4, 2025, Gauff spoke at a press conference about drawing inspiration from the Spaniard’s approach to enjoying life on and off the court. “It’s something I do try to model off of him. I have told him that I have tried to, like, have fun on the court like him and smile as much as he does, and that is something that he inspires me to do more,” she said, as reported by Sportskeeda.
However, Gauff admitted she’s unlikely to match Alcaraz’s infectious on-court smile, noting her naturally serious demeanor. “I don’t think I’ll be out there smiling as much as Carlos does, sometimes when he lose and wins a match, but every now and then to try to crack some in. I’m usually a more serious person on the court, but I try to remember that it’s just a game,” she added. Alcaraz, the defending French Open champion, has emphasized in his Netflix docuseries that prioritizing happiness over accomplishments fuels his performance, a philosophy Gauff finds compelling. “I find that you play better,” she noted, echoing his sentiment that stepping out of the “tennis bubble” enhances performance.
Gauff’s comments come amidst her stellar 2025 French Open run, where she set a record as the youngest American to reach 20 women’s singles wins at Roland Garros. Facing local wildcard Lois Boisson in the semi-finals, Gauff aims to channel Alcaraz’s relaxed mindset to navigate the pressure of a raucous French crowd. While she hasn’t watched his docuseries, she’s aware of its insights, telling Tennis365, “Following Carlos’s documentary, which I haven’t seen but have heard a lot about, I am trying to step out of my tennis bubble a bit and enjoy life.” Alcaraz, set to face Lorenzo Musetti in the men’s semi-finals, continues to inspire Gauff as both chase glory in Paris.
