After Coco Gauff’s impressive victory at the French Open earlier this month, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton reached out to congratulate the young tennis star with a personal direct message. Hamilton, whose fame extends beyond racing into the celebrity and entertainment worlds, took a moment to acknowledge Gauff’s achievement and the composure she displayed during the tournament.
Gauff, at 21 years old, recently secured her second Grand Slam title, having won the US Open in 2023. Her latest success in Paris marked a significant milestone in her career, drawing attention not only from sports fans but also from prominent figures across other fields.
Notable Congratulations from International Figures
During an interview on sports channel ESPN, Coco Gauff revealed some of the high-profile messages she received after her French Open win. Aside from Lewis Hamilton, former US President Barack Obama and acclaimed director Spike Lee also sent her congratulatory messages.
“Probably Lewis Hamilton, he DMd me,”
Gauff disclosed, adding,
“I saw that actually this morning and he sent a nice message saying that he was so proud in the way that I handled everything too, that was pretty cool.”
Hamilton’s support reflects his broader appreciation for outstanding talent in other sports, as he has previously expressed admiration for alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn. His outreach to Gauff highlights the respect shared among elite athletes across different disciplines.
Controversy Surrounding Rival’s Remarks After French Open Final
Coco Gauff’s victory came in a hard-fought three-set match against Aryna Sabalenka at Roland Garros. However, Sabalenka sparked controversy with comments that appeared to downplay Gauff’s performance. She stated,
“I think she won the match not because she played incredible,”
and further added,
“Just because I made all of those mistakes, if you look from the outside, from kind of easy balls.”
Following backlash, Sabalenka apologized to Gauff, who responded with understanding during her ESPN appearance.
“The comments, I was a little bit surprised by them but at the end of the day what happened happened,”
Gauff said, continuing,
“I mean she was probably emotional about it so I’m not going to take it with too much of anything, and I do hope people give her a little bit of flack too.”
The Broader Impact of Hamilton’s Message and Gauff’s Rise
Lewis Hamilton’s personal message to Coco Gauff after her French Open triumph illustrates the connection between top athletes who support and encourage one another beyond their own sports. Hamilton remains a prominent figure recognized not only for his dominance on the track but also for his influence within popular culture, from co-producing Hollywood projects to co-chairing major events like the Met Gala.
Gauff’s expanding profile as a young tennis star signals her growing influence on and off the court. As she continues to compete at the highest levels and earn respect from icons like Hamilton and Obama, her success is likely to inspire even greater achievements. The ongoing respect from fellow athletes and public figures demonstrates the importance of cross-sport solidarity and celebration of excellence.
