Coco Gauff sends supportive message to Collins and Paul after Rome Open semifinals

Coco Gauff recently acknowledged that she always supports Danielle Collins and Tommy Paul. The world No. 3 was eliminated in the semifinals of the Rome Open against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek (6-4, 6-3), but she had words of appreciation for the other Americans who reached the same stage.

Including Gauff, there were three American representatives in the semifinals, although both female competitors in the draw lost. Collins couldn't get past Aryna Sabalenka and ended up losing 5-7, 2-6, while Paul is still in the competition and will face Chilean Nicolas Jarry for a spot in the final.

The 2023 US Open champion congratulated Tommy Paul after his win against Hubert Hurkacz (7-5, 3-6, 6-3) and also had kind words for Collins, who had defeated Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals (6-4, 6-3).

A journalist asked Gauff: "I know you just lost, but there's been three Americans in the semifinals with Tommy Paul just winning, Danielle playing tonight. What do you attribute this American success here to this week? Danielle told us about the camaraderie, the dinner everybody had this week. What are your thoughts?" he asked the world No. 3.

“Well, I think today Tommy, he just played really well. I think Danielle has been on a string of wins lately. I think we just all root for each other and push for each other,” Coco Gauff said. “Specifically Tommy and Danielle are people that I always root for, even though I wouldn't necessarily say we're super close. We speak all the time. Danielle and I, I love her.”

“Me and her got closer after the Billie Jean King Cup we did together. She's just a great person honestly. I love to see her do well. I think if you ask her, she loves to see me do well,” Gauff stated.

“I think it is a camaraderie. I think it does push us to be better. I think on clay people underestimate Americans and they think we hate the European swing. I was hoping maybe I could win and Tommy could win and it would be an American sweep,” she said. “But if it's not me, I would love for it to be Danielle. If this is her farewell tour, I think she deserves it a lot. I was hoping I could win today to play her in the final.”