Coco Gauff’s friendship with NBA star changed her career after Wimbledon defeat

When Coco Gauff needed a helping hand, an unlikely NBA star appeared.

Gauff is currently making her way through the 2024 Wimbledon women’s field, attempting to build off a strong run at the recent French Open.

But last year was not a good year for Gauff at SW19.

The American star fell in three sets to an unseeded Sofia Kenin in 2023.

With other major tournaments approaching, one of the toughest basketball players in the world gave Gauff the perspective that she needed for a summer recharge.

Few NBA fans knew that Jimmy Butler was a serious tennis lover.

But it became impossible to ignore last summer, as Butler spent time at the US Open and connected with Gauff.

“He has that mentality really of, you know, no matter what the odds are against him, he’s gonna give it his all,” Gauff said. 

“I think he’s just one of those athletes [where] the mentality makes his game even better. You have people that are talented and don’t have the mentality. I think he has the talent and the mentality. It’s just taking him even further.

“Between Wimbledon and the next tournament I played, nothing could have really changed that much. It was really just the mental thing. I think that’s what I learned from watching Jimmy compete over the years.”

After Butler championed Gauff last year, she shook off her Wimbledon first-round stunner to triumph at the US Open and win her first major.

“I have been focusing more on myself and my expectations of myself,” Gauff said. “I really believe that now I have the maturity and ability to do it.” 

Butler has diverse interests, including dominoes, coffee and country music.

He even went through an emo phase prior to the recent NBA season.

But he’s also a six-time All-Star who carried the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals and has made five All-Defensive teams.

Despite not being drafted until the end of the first round in 2011, the 34-year-Butler has become one of the NBA’s most respected players.

Gauff was also inspired by his dedication and focus, which included overcoming homelessness.

“I just love the competition aspect of (tennis),” Butler said. “It’s like 1-on-1 competition at its finest. I have a lot of friends that I’m fans of.

“(Coco) is so emotional in a good way. She’s a champion and I love that she’s from the city that I work in.

“I just love to … support her, so I want her to win every single time.”

Gauff is seeded No. 2 at Wimbledon this year.

The Atlanta native is set to face London-born Sonay Kartal in the third round on Friday.

Butler has averaged 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 13 NBA seasons.