In the high-stakes world of professional tennis, where rivalries and relentless competition dominate, moments of camaraderie and mutual inspiration shine through like rare gems. Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis sensation and 2023 US Open champion, recently shared a glimpse into her evolving friendship with Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish phenom and four-time Grand Slam winner. Their connection, rooted in shared experiences as young stars navigating the global tennis stage, has blossomed into a source of mutual motivation, with Gauff drawing inspiration from Alcaraz’s infectious positivity and approach to the game.
Their story began in 2019, when both were teenagers carving their paths in the sport. Gauff, then just 15, stunned the tennis world by reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon, defeating her idol Venus Williams in a historic upset. Around the same time, Alcaraz, an emerging talent from Spain, reached out to her via Instagram, sending a friendly message: “Hey Coco, do you remember me?” The message referenced their shared achievement of winning the Junior Fed Cup for their respective countries. Caught up in the whirlwind of her breakout moment, Gauff admitted she didn’t recall Alcaraz and left the message unanswered, a decision she later regretted. “I felt bad that I didn’t respond,” she reflected with a laugh during a recent interview at the 2025 French Open. It wasn’t until 2022, after Alcaraz clinched his first Grand Slam title at the US Open and became the youngest ATP world No. 1 in history, that Gauff finally replied with a congratulatory message, sparking the beginning of their friendly rapport.
Fast forward to 2025, and both Gauff and Alcaraz are household names, dominating the sport with their electrifying play and magnetic personalities. At the French Open, where Gauff is battling her way through the draw, she revealed how Alcaraz’s approach has influenced her both on and off 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,” Gauff shared. “That’s something that he inspires me to do more. Just to enjoy life in general.” Her words highlight Alcaraz’s signature style—a joyful, almost carefree demeanor that contrasts with the intense pressure of Grand Slam tournaments. For Gauff, who is often praised for her maturity but sometimes criticized for her serious on-court demeanor, Alcaraz’s approach offers a refreshing perspective.
This exchange of inspiration isn’t one-sided. Gauff’s relentless work ethic and mental toughness have earned her admiration from peers, including Alcaraz. Their interactions, often lighthearted, reflect a bond forged through shared experiences as young prodigies. A memorable moment came at the 2024 China Open, where the two posed together in traditional Chinese attire during a cultural event in Beijing’s Forbidden City. Alcaraz’s playful compliment, “You are looking good,” drew a gracious smile from Gauff, showcasing their easy camaraderie. These moments off the court have strengthened their mutual respect, with Gauff noting how Alcaraz’s ability to step away from tennis to recharge—highlighted in his recent Netflix documentary—has encouraged her to find balance in her own life. “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,” she said during a Roland Garros press conference.
As Gauff prepares for her semifinal clash against French wildcard Lois Boisson at the 2025 French Open, she’s channeling Alcaraz’s positivity to navigate the intense atmosphere of facing a home favorite. “I’m trying to relieve the tension that builds up at the latter stages of a Grand Slam,” she explained, crediting Alcaraz’s example for helping her stay grounded. Her journey to the semifinals has been marked by resilience, including a hard-fought victory over Madison Keys, where she overcame 10 double faults to win 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1. Meanwhile, Alcaraz continues his title defense on the men’s side, fresh off a strong clay-court season that saw him triumph at the Italian Open.
Their friendship, punctuated by humorous anecdotes and mutual encouragement, underscores a broader truth about tennis: even in a sport defined by individual battles, connections between players can spark growth and inspiration. As Gauff and Alcaraz continue to rise, their shared journey—from an unanswered DM to a bond of mutual admiration—adds a heartwarming chapter to tennis’s evolving narrative. For Gauff, Alcaraz’s smile is more than just a gesture; it’s a reminder to embrace joy amid the grind, a lesson she’s carrying with her as she chases her first French Open title.
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