Way to Win: Lessons Learned from Coco Gauff
This article is part of Finding the Words, a newsletter that delivers practical insights on the day’s issues.
On Saturday afternoon, Coco Gauff found herself in the national spotlight for a very good reason.
That day, the 19-year-old American tennis pro won her first career Grand Slam in New York, beating Aryna Sabalenka in the U.S. Open women’s singles final. Gauff is one of the youngest American women to win the US Open title and one of the few Black American women to do so. She joins Althea Gibson, Venus and Serena Williams, and Sloane Stephens, who also hold US Open victories.
As I watched Gauff work for that win—with an unparalleled defense and unflappable focus (even after Sabalenka called a late-match medical timeout)—I was struck by how graceful she appeared, even among the weight and pressures of that intense 2-hour match.
Her play was beautiful. Her movements were captivating. Her calm under pressure was inspiring.
The real Grand Slam moment, however, came during her acceptance speech.
Watching Gauff accept her victory, I realized how much she embodies the very best in a natural leader: she showed care, courage, and clarity—and her actions were a playbook for leaders at all levels.
Here are some of the lessons I took away from watching Gauff’s speech:
Recognize That Many Hands Support Your Success. When Gauff was asked who she wanted to thank for helping her get to this moment, she knew exactly what to do. First, she thanked family, coaches, and fans, and then she most sincerely thanked the people who often get lost in these productions: those behind the scenes who do so much of the work to make the “show” happen without a hitch. She authentically recognized that many hands go into producing something like the US Open, and she had the social awareness to recognize and thank them all.
Celebrate Your Competition. Coco didn’t have a script during her acceptance speech, but she knew what she wanted to say about Sabalenka in a moment when the fellow tennis pro was visibly upset about the match’s outcome. While her competitor had lost her temper a few times throughout the match, Coco gave her grace. “I’ve seen you behind the scenes and witnessed how friendly you are. You brought out the best in me, and this game is better because of people like you.” That signaled to the world that Sabalenka was more—as a person and a player— than people might have seen of her in that difficult moment.
Rise Above the Chatter. As Gauff’s profile has risen, so too have her detractors. Rather than use her moment in the spotlight to say: “Look at me now” or “I told you so,” she chose to say, “Thank you.” In Gauff’s words: "To those who thought they were putting water in my fire, you were really adding gas to it, and now it's really burning so bright right now." Her words remind us that sometimes, the people who try most to bring us down are actually the people who most help fuel us forward.
And, Thank Those Who Pave the Way for Your Wins: Even in the moments when it feels like we’re running after something alone, it helps to remember that many people pave the way for our success—whether we’re CEOs or tennis pros. For Gauff, the 2023 tournament marked the 50th anniversary of equal pay at the U.S. Open—a milestone brought about by the work of tennis great Billie Jean King. Gauff knew this, recognized it, and celebrated it as she waved her winner’s check in a nod to King’s efforts.
Bottom line: In tennis, as in life, there are moments when we’ll be on the defense and moments when we’ll play offense. Every day, however, is a chance to play and lead with care, courage, and clarity. And Gauff is a great reminder of what winning can look like at its best.
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