“I would get a lot of negative thoughts” – Coco Gauff reveals how going to therapy helped her manifest incredible French Open win

Coco Gauff recently spoke up on how manifestation helped her remain positive during tough moments in her life. She credited regular therapy for allowing her to channel optimism as she secured an extraordinary 2025 French Open win against Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday, June 7.

The American showed great character on court as she took on the World No.1 and emerged victorious 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 in the battle of nerves. Gauff seemed calm, composed, and locked in during the final two sets, which helped her overcome the change in weather conditions and tackle Sabalenka in Paris.

During her appearance on NBC News Now, she shared how therapy has worked its way into her manifesting to convert her negative thoughts or losses into positive attitudes, which in turn has helped her better her mindset for big matches like the recent one at Roland Garros.

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"I would get a lot of self-doubt, negative thoughts and, at first I would just try to not think it. And then actually, you know, I go to therapy and my therapist is like instead of, you know, not trying to avoid those thoughts, redirect them into a more positive direction," Gauff said.

The 2023 US Open winner also elaborated on how her self-doubts have also been curbed due to this practice.

"So instead of being like, “Oh, what if I lose? And what if it feels like when I lose?” think about, “Oh, what if I win?” or “I will win and I can do this.” So I just try to redirect those thoughts into a positive direction instead of trying to completely ignore them," Coco Gauff added. (1:19 onwards)

The 21-year-old went on to speak on the inspiration she draws from American musician Tyler, the Creator.

Coco Gauff on finding inspiration in Tyler, the Creator

Coco Gauff gave a shoutout to her favourite artist, Tyler, the Creator, during her French Open trophy acceptance speech. She explained how an inspiring line from the song ‘St. Chroma', which featured in the singer's last album,‘Chromakopia', encapsulated what she felt during the final clash against Sabalenka.

While concluding her speech, she said:

"I’m gonna quote Tyler, The Creator right here. He said, ‘If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying.’ I’d like to leave that with you guys. I think I was lying to myself and I definitely could do it. Shout out to Tyler.”

After winning her second career major, Coco Gauff is expected to continue her red-hot form at the 2025 Wimbledon starting on June 30.

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About the author

Aatreyi Sarkar

Aatreyi Sarkar is a tennis journalist at Sportskeeda. Currently pursuing a degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University and a U.S. State Department scholar at The University of Kansas, she blends her academic background with her passion for storytelling.

Aatreyi sources accurate information from social media platforms to stay updated on the latest developments and fan discussions. She strives to produce engaging, insightful, and experimental content that connects with readers, aspiring to make tennis more accessible and captivating for fans around the globe

She finds immense inspiration in Novak Djokovic, whose incredible comebacks and relentless determination motivate her to approach her work with the same passion. Roland Garros is her favorite tournament, cherished for its unique clay-court challenges and historical importance.

Though new to professional writing, Aatreyi has been an avid debater and quizzer since middle school, showcasing her analytical skills and creativity. Outside tennis, she is a passionate cricket fan, baker, and reader who enjoys exploring literature beyond academic constraints.

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