Coco Gauff captured widespread attention after clinching her first French Open title on June 7, 2025, in Paris. Shortly after her victory, the American tennis star made an unexpected appearance at a WNBA game between the New York Liberty and the Chicago Sky, where she received an affectionate message from her close friend and Liberty teammate, Sabrina Ionescu.

Coco Gauff’s Post-Victory Appearance at a WNBA Game

Following her thrilling win over Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s singles final at Roland Garros, Coco Gauff was present at the New York Liberty versus Chicago Sky game to support the team. Gauff, accompanied by her brother, was warmly welcomed by fans who celebrated both her recent tennis triumph and her presence. During the game, Gauff had the chance to visit the Liberty players’ dressing room, fostering connections with her teammates, especially with Sabrina Ionescu, a leader on the Liberty team.

Sabrina Ionescu Reflects on Her Bond With Coco Gauff

In an interview after the game, Sabrina Ionescu discussed her close friendship with Gauff and shared her excitement about the tennis star’s appearance. She revealed,

I have known her for a few years now and so I always get to see her, her brother and, you know, just being able to—I am, always am going to, especially when the US Open gets here in September, and kind of watch and cheer her on.

—Sabrina Ionescu

Ionescu further highlighted the enthusiasm among the fans at the arena, saying,

I don’t think I’ve heard it louder for someone in attendance than for when she was announced today. I felt like we were scoring or on a run and I look up and it was her being announced, and so I think she knows she has obviously all of New York behind her. All of us are such big fans of her. Everyone was watching the match, cheering her on.

—Sabrina Ionescu

Angel Reese Praises Coco Gauff’s Impact

The admiration for Gauff’s achievements extends beyond her immediate circle. Angel Reese, a star player for the Chicago Sky and a rising talent in women’s basketball, also expressed her respect for the tennis sensation. Coming from similar challenging backgrounds, Reese has found inspiration in Gauff’s journey and success. After the game, she stated,

Inspired, and obviously, congrats to Coco. Um, she’s amazing. Sure, as a young, Black woman, I’m super inspired by everything she does, and to see her come up in the WNBA game obviously shows how much she supports women. She supports women in sports and I just hope she continues to just be her.

—Angel Reese

Coco Gauff’s Upcoming Challenges and Continued Momentum

With the grass-court season underway, Coco Gauff is focusing on maintaining her strong form as she prepares for the upcoming Wimbledon Championships later this month. Her recent performances have generated a lot of excitement, and fans are eager to see if she can extend her winning streak on the different surface. Sabrina Ionescu’s public support and the admiration from peers like Angel Reese underscore Gauff’s growing influence not only in tennis but across American sports in general.