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Jun 7, 2025; Paris, FR; Coco Gauff of the United States poses with Aryna Sabalenka and Justin Henin after their match on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

'Hopefully She’ll Come Back': Coco Gauff Gets Touching Tribute From Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 10:12 AM ET

Coco Gauff , who recently won the French Open, attended her first-ever WNBA game on Tuesday night at Barclays Center. Gauff was spotted in the crowd sitting with Vanessa Bryant in the stands. The crowd watching the game between the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky on Tuesday went ballistic when the jumbotron showed Gauff.

The applause and cheers from the crowd were not the only tribute that Gauff received in her first WNBA game. Sabrina Ionescu from the New York Liberty also gifted her a custom team jersey, which the tennis star was more than happy to receive. The French Open winner wore some slouchy ripped jeans with a white crop top and also had an oversized bomber jacket to go along with her outfit.

“I thought it was incredible for it to get so loud for her. She said it was her first WNBA game. For it to be a Liberty game is really special for us. Really just saying congratulations on all her success most recently, and we’re happy to have her. Hopefully she’ll come back and she’s an inspiration to everyone and it’s motivating to have people like that on the sidelines coming here to watch us doing our thing.” Power forward for the New York Liberty, Breanna Stewart spoke about Coco Gauff after the game ended.

Post-W vibes Sabrina Ionescu gifted Coco Gauff a jersey!

WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by @coinbase pic.twitter.com/1DeNgStqA0

— WNBA (@WNBA) June 11, 2025

Coco Gauff definitely chose a splendid night to show up for her first WNBA game. Gauff’s presence perhaps put some extra fire in New York’s belly and the Liberty ended up winning with an impressive 85-66 final score.

Coco Gauff Takes Mini-Trophy Along With Her Everywhere She Goes

After Coco Gauff won the French Open, tennis fans were once again reminded of how small the actual Suzanne-Lenglen Cup is. While the trophy that the winners pose with for photographs is indeed massive, Gauff showed off the actual trophy that players get to keep, which is essentially the cup in mini-size.

Jun 7, 2025; Paris, FR; Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the womens singles final against Aryna Sabalenka on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

Gauff has been booked show after show after she won the French Open and has been taking her mini-cup everywhere. Recently, the tennis legend made an appearance on ‘The Tonight Show, ’ much to the delight of the audience members who gave her a standing ovation.

Jun 7, 2025; Paris, FR; Spike Lee congratulates Coco Gauff of the United States for winning the womens singles final against Aryna Sabalenka on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

In fact, Gauff also received a standing ovation from audience members at the Barclays Center on Tuesday night’s game between the New York Liberty and the Chicago Sky. Next up, tennis fans can expect to see Gauff pick up her racquet again in the WTA 500 in Berlin next week.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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