Coco Gauff copying NBA great Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality
Coco Gauff is hoping to take another leaf out of the legendary Kobe Bryant’s playbook as she goes in search of her maiden Grand Slam title in Sunday’s US Open final.
The 19-year-old reached her second major final with an assured display against Karolina Muchova in the semi-final as she defeated the Czech 6-4, 7-5 at Flushing Meadows. Her reward is a showpiece match against reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.
During the on-court interview, Gauff told the spectators on Arthur Ashe Stadium that “the job is not done” and when asked during the post-match press conference if her comment was in reference to five-time NBA champion Bryant, who died in January 2020, she replied: “Yeah, definitely. He had an incredible mentality, and one of the things is when he’s up and the finals, NBA Finals, when they’re up in the count or three one, whatever lead that they have, he didn’t celebrate.
“He [was] satisfied, gave himself a pat on the back, but it’s time to move on. So that’s the mentality that I have. I’m trying to enjoy the moment, but also knowing that I still have more work to do.
“So, yes, the final is incredible achievement, but it’s something that I’m not satisfied with yet.”
Bryant’s autobiography was titled “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play” and it gave a personal perspective of his life and career.
Gauff has won 18 of her last 19 matches as she won the Citi DC Open and the Cincinnati Masters titles during the North American hard-court swing.
Her run of form came after a disappointing Wimbledon campaign where she lost in the opening round against former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin.
The American admits she was prepared to write off her season following the grass-court major.
“After Wimbledon, I wasn’t expecting to do well, honestly, in this hard-court season,” she said. “So I’m really proud of the way that I’ve been able to change this season around for me. I think, honestly, when I had that at Wimbledon, I was really sort of thinking for off-season and preparing for next year. And I still think I have a lot to improve. But, yeah, 100%, I wasn’t thinking those results will happen.
“And even after DC didn’t think this will happen, even after Cincinnati didn’t think this would happen. So I’m really proud of myself. And like I said, there’s still long ways to go. But I think that I can improve a, you know, how I’ve been able to manage with the game that I have now is something that I’m happy.”
WATCH: Coco Gauff wins spectacular 40-shot US Open rally at crucial moment
