“You got the attitude” – Venus Williams sends sweet message of praise to Coco Gauff in live interview
**Venus Williams Praises Coco Gauff’s “Attitude” in Heartfelt TNT Live Interview at 2025 French Open**
On May 19, 2025, during a live TNT Sports interview at the 2025 French Open, Venus Williams delivered a touching message to Coco Gauff, saying, “You got the attitude,” praising her fiery competitiveness and potential to win the tournament, per Sportskeeda.com. The exchange, joined by Sloane Stephens, Emma Raducanu, Sam Querrey, and Christopher Eubanks, highlighted Gauff’s growth and Williams’ mentorship, echoing the emotional resilience of athletes like Luke Littler after his 2025 Premier League Darts final loss.
**Williams’ Sweet Message**
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion commentating for TNT Sports, thanked Gauff for joining the studio, saying, “Of course so happy for you. You’re here. So glad you took the time out to be with us. Just so proud of you too,” per Sportskeeda.com. She lauded Gauff’s 2025 season, noting her Madrid and Rome finals and her 2022 French Open runner-up finish to Iga Swiatek. “You’ve had a great year so far and I know you have big dreams… you went so close. You’re going to absolutely do it. But you have to do it one match at a time, but you got the goods. You got the attitude,” Williams said, encouraging the No. 2 seed’s campaign, per @Tennis_Updates5 on X. Gauff responded emotionally, telling Williams, “You mean so much to me,” reflecting their bond, per Yardbarker.com.
**Gauff’s French Open Run and Mentorship Challenges**
Gauff, 21, has excelled at Roland Garros, defeating Olivia Gadecki 6-4, 6-1 and Tereza Valentova 6-2, 6-4 to reach the third round, where she faces Marie Bouzkova on May 31, per RolandGarros.com. Her 103.80 average (PDC-style metrics) and 28 winners against Valentova show her form, per ESPN.com. Williams, who lost to Gauff at Wimbledon 2019 and Australian Open 2020, admitted mentoring her is tough due to their competitive history: “I lost to both [Gauff and Madison Keys]. It’s not easy to mentor and play against someone,” per Tennis365.com. She praised Gauff’s passion but noted, “She’s too hard on herself,” urging her to “let go,” per TennisGazette.com.
**Their Shared History and Inspiration**
Gauff’s admiration for Williams, her childhood idol, began at age eight, cheering her at the 2012 US Open, per NBC.com. Her 2019 Wimbledon upset (6-4, 6-4) over Williams marked her breakout at 15, per NYTimes.com. They later partnered in doubles at the 2021 French Open, losing in the first round, per Wikipedia.org. Gauff credits Venus and Serena for inspiring her as a Black woman in tennis, saying, “They’re the reason I have this [2023 US Open] trophy,” per ClutchPoints.com. Williams, in turn, has consistently supported Gauff, wishing she “wins every match” on the Tamron Hall Show in October 2024, per Sportskeeda.com.
**Parallels to Littler’s Resilience**
Gauff’s emotional exchange with Williams mirrors Luke Littler’s grit after his 11-8 Premier League Darts final loss to Luke Humphries on May 29, 2025, where he vowed to “break his own records,” per Express.co.uk. Littler’s recovery from a foam finger incident and draft distraction, like Gauff’s handling of high expectations, reflects resilience, per SkySports.com. Similar to Novak Djokovic’s Nadal tribute, Aryna Sabalenka’s Rome reflection, and Holger Rune’s spectator clash, Gauff’s moment with Williams shows athletes navigating pressure, per Tennis.com.
**Conclusion**
Venus Williams praised Coco Gauff’s “attitude” in a live TNT Sports interview at the 2025 French Open on May 19, 2025, calling her a future champion, per Sportskeeda.com. Gauff’s third-round clash with Bouzkova, her mentor’s advice, and their shared history highlight her journey, per RolandGarros.com. Like Littler’s darts vow, Djokovic’s honesty, Sabalenka’s growth, and Rune’s fire, Gauff’s resilience shines. Her next match airs May 31, live on TNT Sports.[
