It takes courage to go back to a place where you once had your dreams shattered. Coco Gauff did exactly that. When she entered the 2022 French Open finals, she was only 18. Nervous yet brave, she went up against the then world number 1 Iga Swiatek, riding a 34-match win streak. The Polish star made it 35 with a 6–1, 6–3. But that did not break Coco and only made her strong enough to go claim the 2023 US Open against Aryna Sabalenka to become the youngest American to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999. And the inspiration behind this?

Then she went back to Paris. The place where her dreams were shattered as an 18-year-old. Coco Gauff, once again in the finals of the 2025 French Open, once again facing Aryna Sabalenka. Redemption vs Revenge. Gauff lost the first round by 6-7. But we only fall to rise back up. She then went on the win the next two rounds with a scoreline of 6-2 and 6-4, ultimately lifting the cup to become the first American player to win a singles title at the French Open since Serena Williams (2015). But to go back to Paris, where once she had a significant loss, and then losing the first round and bouncing back takes a lot of courage. The inspiration?

In the post-match press conference, the tennis star talked about the fuel behind this feat. Gauff said, “Yeah, with the fighting spirit, I think it’s something that, you know, I’ve, you know, I’ve had naturally, but trying to be more positive is something I had to work on, and yeah, I’m really happy with how I’m able to reset and be positive and try my best to give, you know, the best mentality to show up, and people from other sports that I’ve looked up to, Sydney McLaughlin is someone that I really like and look up to in that way, Simone Biles, I think she just pushes herself.” This is not the first time she has called Biles inspiring as well.

While talking to Shining Crown in July 2024, she said that she draws inspiration from Sha’Carri Richardson, and she also disclosed, “And I also really look up to Simone Biles and the way she has been able to help mental health and sports, you know, seeing somebody dominate their level.”Simone Biles prioritizing mental health is no secret to the world, and neither are the impacts it has had worldwide.

Also, both Coco Guaff and Sydney McLaughlin Levrone are New Balance ambassadors. In 2023, they appeared in a New Balance Together in sport ad, walking and jogging together. In March 2024, Gauff praised McLaughlin’s sneaker line, posting on her Instagram story, “@sydneymclaughlin16 ❤️… Love the new collection”. Sydney then reshared with, “🫶🏿🤍.” Both Simone Biles and Sydney  McLaughlin have had a great impact on their sports. 

The Impact Sime Biles and Sydney McLaughlin have had on their sports

Simone Biles’ legacy in gymnastics extends far beyond her being the most decorated gymnast of all time. With five officially recognized skills named after her across vault, beam, and floor—and the potential sixth on uneven bars pending (submitted at Paris 2024)—Biles has permanently left her mark on the sport. Each move, like the Biles II triple-twisting, double back on floor (rated J—the highest in women’s gymnastics) or the Yurchenko double pike vault (6.4 difficulty), represents a leap in what’s technically possible in this sport.

Her bold decision at Tokyo 2020 to withdraw for mental health (“twisties”) led a global shift in how athletes’ well-being is perceived and protected. Team USA was supposed to take a dog with them for the Paris Olympics to relieve their mental stress. Beacon has worked with the team since the Olympic Trials, providing calm and comfort during intense moments. He did not accompany the team to the Olympics due to logistical and travel complications.

Sydney transformed the 400 m hurdles with six world records between 2021 and 2024—breaking 52, then 51 seconds, finally settling with an Olympic 50.37 s run in Paris. ut hr legacy in track and field also goes well beyond the track. Off the track, she’s taken a frontline role in championing athletes’ rights and mental health awareness, founding the Champion’s Way Foundation with a $50M donation to support youth sports and counseling services in underserved communities.