The Sports Life: Coco Gauff, Resilience and What Our Kids Can Learn from the Clay

On Saturday, Coco Gauff won the French Open. At just 21 years old, she did what many dream of, and avenged a heartbreaking loss in the process. She lost in the 2022 final and instead of letting that define her she used it. She called it a “painful memory” and turned it into power.

That’s a powerful lesson right there.

For us as parents, and for our kids, success isn’t clean. It’s built on hard losses, disappointment, tears behind closed doors and moments when you keep showing up even when it would be easier to turn away.

During Saturday's match, Gauff lost the first set. The wind was crazy. The crowd was loud. But she stayed in it. She adapted. She adjusted her strategy. She found her fight, and won 11 of the last 17 games.

That kind of grit doesn’t just show up. It gets built through the hard days. Through coaches who challenge you. Through matches you don’t win. Through support systems who hold space for you to be human and fierce at the same time.

And then there was her post-match speech.

She spoke about representation. She spoke about being a young Black woman in America and wanting this win to mean something to people who haven’t always felt seen. She declared herself proud to be American; and proud to represent Americans who look like her.

It was powerful, clear and unapologetic.

This is what we want our kids to grow into. Not just athletes, but people who know who they are. Who believe in themselves without waiting for someone else’s permission slip. Who feel proud of their voice, their effort and their journey.

And let’s not skip the gratitude. Gauff quoted Tyler, The Creator – “If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying.” Then she thanked God, her parents, her team, the fans. There’s something beautiful about believing in yourself and staying grounded in the people who helped you get there.

So, what’s the takeaway for us?

It’s this: The loss might be part of the story, but it’s not the end. Our job as parents is to help our kids hold that perspective. Whether they’re cut from a team, sitting the bench, struggling in school, or navigating friendships, they’re still in it. Still learning. Still building something.

Coco reminded us that resilience isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a choice. A habit. A way of living.

Let’s keep helping our kids build that muscle ... day by day, rep by rep, with love and belief as the foundation.

I love hearing from you. If you’ve had a parenting win lately, big or small, hit reply or email me at headcoachleah@gmail.com. I’d love to celebrate it with you or feature it in an upcoming edition of The Sports Life.