More love for Coco Gauff from American royalty as Michelle Obama, LeBron James, Matthew McConaughey & others react to French Open win
**American Icons Celebrate Coco Gauff’s French Open 2025 Triumph
Coco Gauff’s historic 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open 2025 women’s final on June 7, securing her first Roland Garros title and second Grand Slam, drew an outpouring of praise from American luminaries, including Michelle Obama, LeBron James, and Matthew McConaughey. The 21-year-old’s comeback, making her the first American woman to win in Paris since Serena Williams in 2015, sparked widespread admiration across social media and beyond, as reported by Yahoo Sports and ESPN.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama lauded Gauff’s “determination, strength, and grace” in a post on X, sharing a video of her championship point and writing, “Your victory has inspired us all — and showed us what’s possible. Proud of you!” Former President Barack Obama echoed, “Congratulations to @CocoGauff for an amazing championship at the French Open — the first American singles champion at @RolandGarros in a decade. You make us all proud,” per wtatennis.com. LeBron James, Gauff’s fellow 2024 Paris Olympics flag bearer, amplified Obama’s post, adding, “I SECOND THAT!!! Congratulations my fellow flag bearer @CocoGauff 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤎,” per Sports Illustrated.
Matthew McConaughey, a known tennis enthusiast, celebrated Gauff’s milestone, posting, “@CocoGauff takes the 🇫🇷. Congrats on 2nd major and 1st on clay,” per Tennis.com. Director Spike Lee, courtside at Philippe-Chatrier, shared a jubilant moment with Gauff, who later said, “I saw Spike during warmups and thought, if I win, he’s the first person I’m dapping up,” per Access Online, referencing her joy at giving the Knicks fan something to cheer for.[](https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/michelle-obama-coco-gauff-roland-garros-win-inspired-us-all-social-media-reaction)[](https://www.accessonline.com/videos/coco-gauff-wins-first-french-open-title-barack-obama-matthew-mcconaughey-more-react)
Tennis legends also chimed in, with Billie Jean King calling Gauff’s win “Outstanding!” and Tracy Austin praising her “resilience, composure, and match management,” per wtatennis.com. Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off his own French Open final, posted, “🫶🏻 Many congrats @CocoGauff!!!” South Florida teams, the Miami Dolphins and Heat, honored Gauff’s Delray Beach roots, while even Merriam-Webster joined in, sharing a video of Gauff defining “love,” per Yahoo Sports. Gauff’s heartfelt gesture of sharing her trophy with ball kids further endeared her to fans, per Express.co.uk, cementing her status as a beloved champion.[]
