American tennis star Coco Gauff has credited Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality for inspiring her rise to prominence, most recently seen in her striking victory at the 2025 French Open in Paris. The young athlete’s resilience and focus echo Bryant’s relentless approach to his craft, which has propelled Gauff through difficult matches, including her recent comeback win over Aryna Sabalenka on the clay courts.

The Influence of Kobe Bryant on Coco Gauff’s Career

Kobe Bryant’s passion for tennis and admiration for Gauff began before she gained widespread recognition in the sport. Bryant closely followed her early performances and once praised her for not only her impressive skill set but also her composure on the court. This connection deepened when Bryant offered Gauff practical advice about handling the pressures that come with being a young athlete.

CBS Sports’ Isabel Gonzalez shed light on their unique relationship during the Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast, explaining that Bryant was a consistent supporter of Gauff from a young age. Gonzalez noted,

“She wasn’t just sitting next to the Bryant family like she has a backstory with that because she was a young star she turned pro when she was I think like 14, 15 and Kobe talked about her a lot before and he was a tennis fan he didn’t get to go to a lot of tennis matches but eventually he made it to one.”

—Isabel Gonzalez, CBS Sports

GonzaIez further recounted an interaction when Bryant was asked about Gauff as a promising player. Bryant highlighted the challenges young athletes face, such as media attention and outside distractions, and emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear vision for one’s career. She reported,

“You know as a young player you have a lot of things in your plate it’s going to be like media stuff a lot of outside noise but you got to map out what you want your career to look like and you got to work on that.”

—Isabel Gonzalez, CBS Sports

This advice clearly resonated with Gauff, who at the 2023 US Open openly cited Bryant’s influence on her mindset, refusing to celebrate prematurely despite reaching the final. As Gonzalez recalled,

“So Coco is still of course really young but she did follow a lot of that advice it was really cool because in 2023 at the US Open she um was quoting Kobe Bryant she made it to the final and she was like Job’s not done yet.”

—Isabel Gonzalez, CBS Sports

The intensity and determination reflected in Gauff’s expression during that tournament underlined her commitment, supported by Bryant’s philosophy. Gonzalez added,

“Not done yet I’m not going to celebrate that I made it to the final,”

capturing Gauff’s relentless hunger. —Isabel Gonzalez, CBS Sports

Lessons from Kobe Bryant Shared by Coco Gauff’s Family

Corey Gauff, Coco’s father, has also highlighted how deeply Kobe Bryant’s teachings have influenced his daughter’s approach to tennis. He pointed out that Kobe’s respect for discipline and focus has been a guiding force for her. Corey noted,

“She loves Kobe Bryant. He left a long list of lessons, (such as), ‘Always focus on the craft.’ They asked Kobe: ‘Do you love winning or do you hate losing?’ And he said he loved to figure things out,”

emphasizing Kobe’s analytical and growth mindset. —Corey Gauff

He explained the philosophy further, stating,

“If you approach sports that way, you find more enjoyment in it.”

—Corey Gauff

After winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open, Gauff’s connection with the Bryant family was palpable. She attended a WNBA game featuring the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky, where Kobe’s family showed their support with a standing ovation. Gauff was seen seated alongside Vanessa Bryant and their daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri, reinforcing the meaningful bond between the tennis star and the basketball legend’s family.

Preparing for Wimbledon: Gauff’s Focus and Determination

Looking ahead to Wimbledon, Gauff expressed confidence tempered with caution, aware of the challenges posed by the grass courts that have yet to yield deep runs in her Grand Slam career. Despite having recorded a significant win against Venus Williams at Wimbledon, Gauff has not advanced beyond the fourth round there, which motivates her to stay grounded amid growing expectations.

In a recent interview, Gauff shared her mindset heading into Wimbledon, saying,

“I think I can give myself the best shot [of winning Wimbledon] by trying to keep the moment [winning the French Open] as minimised as possible. I’m kind of trying to forget the Roland Garros win, honestly. Just to stay hungry. After [my] US Open win, for the rest of that season I was like, ‘I won the US Open, the season’s almost over, I’m pretty satisfied.’”

—Coco Gauff

Before Wimbledon begins, Gauff plans to compete at the German Open in Berlin, a tournament seen as a key preparation stop. Her ability to focus on the task at hand without succumbing to external pressure will be crucial in determining her success on the grass courts.

Impact and Prospects for Coco Gauff’s Career

Coco Gauff’s journey, marked by her embrace of Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality, signals a new chapter not only for her career but for women’s tennis. Her resilience, composure, and analytical approach to the sport have brought her remarkable victories early on, suggesting that her best years are still ahead. The mentorship from Bryant, though indirect, has instilled in her a perspective that prioritizes constant growth and passion over mere results.

As Gauff continues to build on this foundation, spectators and fans anticipate how she will perform at upcoming tournaments like Wimbledon and beyond. Her blend of youthful ambition and disciplined focus shaped by Kobe Bryant’s legacy positions her as a compelling figure in tennis, capable of overcoming obstacles and inspiring a new generation of athletes.