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Coco Gauff, 19, channeled Kobe Bryant's famous Mamba Mentality after sealing a spot in the US Open final. On Thursday, Gauff saw off Karolina Muchova 6-4 7-5 to progress into her first US Open final. After the Los Angeles Lakers went 2-0 up on the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals, late NBA legend Bryant sat with a cold face in his press conference and bluntly said: "Job's not finished “ Gauff is now one win away from becoming a Grand Slam champion but she also highlighted that the job is not finished.
"Thank you so much guys. Some of those points it was so loud. I don’t know if my ears are gonna be okay. But be even louder. I grew up watching this tournament. It means a lot to be in the final. The job is not done," Gauff said in her on-court interview.
Gauff on channeling Bryant's Mamba Mentality
Bryant, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter accident in 2020 January, is one of the greatest players in NBA history.
During his career, Bryant was all about hard work and that mindset led him to five NBA titles. "He has an incredible mentality. In the NBA Finals when they have a 3-1 lead in the series, he doesn’t celebrate. He’s satisfied.
He gives himself a pat on the back. But time to move on. That’s the mentality I have. I’m trying to enjoy the moment. But also knowing I still have more work to do. The final is an incredible achievement. But it’s something I’m not satisfied with yet," Gauff said in her post-match press conference.
In the US Open final, Gauff plays against Aryna Sabalenka. Last year, Gauff was beaten by Iga Swiatek in her first Grand Slam final at the French Open. It remains to be seen if Gauff can do better in her second Grand Slam final.