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Simone Biles has never been one to sit quietly on the sidelines, and her recent appearance at the 2025 US Open proved it again. The seven-time Olympic gymnastics champion was spotted in the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium on August 28, cheering on Coco Gauff as the American tennis star battled through a tense second-round match against Donna Vekić. Biles called it a “privilege” to watch Gauff in person, adding on ESPN, “She’s incredible, amazing and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… I admire her grace and humility.” The admiration ran both ways. After her 7-6(5), 6-2 victory, Gauff admitted Biles’ presence had helped her stay composed under pressure. 

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The evening was memorable for both athletes, but Biles did not leave it behind in New York. Days later, she reflected on the experience in a new format, a ‘Get Ready with Me (GRWM)’ video shared on TikTok. Sitting in front of the mirror, she laughed about a misunderstanding at the Open. “Their popular thing is the caviar and the chicken nuggets,” she explained. “I still don’t know the proper name of it, but they kept calling it the Coco… Coco Shack! I’m like, it’s Coco’s Famous Nuggets, guys. It’s definitely not.” The gymnast admitted she had been enthusiastically recommending the snack to others in the stadium before realizing her mistake.

That lighthearted retelling became the prelude to something else entirely. In the same video, Biles revealed she has started pursuing horseback riding. “Today we’re going horseback riding. We’re just doing light makeup today because it’s nothing crazy,” she said, titling the post “GRWM for horseback riding 🐎” and captioning it, “random sidequest 🐴🫣🤎.” The new hobby has since become a recurring theme on her social media accounts, where she has posted images of herself a few days back leading ponies, suiting up in a helmet and boots, and grinning beside her horse with the caption, “me [handshake emoji] pony.”

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Her commitment goes beyond casual visits to the stables. In late August of 2025, she disclosed she had begun taking regular lessons, joking in one update that “being told to flex my feet feels criminal.” Earlier this month, she uploaded stories showing herself walking a horse in full gear, writing simply, “another day, another horseback riding lesson.” The 28-year-old even revisited a more personal moment. Horseback riding along the ocean with her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, shortly after her birthday. It appears the gymnast is shaping an entirely new routine around the sport.

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Biles’ interest in riding arrives at a time when her competitive gymnastics future remains uncertain. She missed both the 2025 US Classic and the Xfinity Championships and has offered only vague indications about Los Angeles 2028. “If I’m not on the floor, I definitely will be in and around it,” she said earlier this year, though she has yet to specify in what capacity. For now, she has chosen pursuits that keep her active while allowing her to step away from the intensity of gymnastics.

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Horseback riding may not be her only new endeavor. An insider report shared by Inside Gymnastics suggested that Biles is also experimenting with ice skating. While she has made no public commitment to the sport, the prospect of her testing her abilities on the ice stirred curiosity about whether her athletic gifts might extend into winter competition. Whether on the beam, in the stands at Flushing Meadows, or learning to ride in Texas, Biles continues to draw attention each time she tries something new. However, while delving into other ventures, Biles remained undecided about competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, leaving fans eagerly awaiting her official announcement.

Simone Biles remains undecided on competing at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

Simone Biles left fans in a state of anticipation regarding her plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The seven-time Olympic champion conveyed a measured uncertainty about her future in competitive gymnastics, emphasizing the significance of personal fulfillment over continued pursuit of accolades. She admitted, “2028 seems so far away, and my body is aging. I felt it in Paris,” signaling a profound awareness of the physical demands that the sport exacts, even on an athlete of her extraordinary caliber. Her words suggested a careful evaluation of both the joys and tolls of elite competition as she considered whether to return to the Olympic stage.

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Throughout the interview, Biles outlined her priorities beyond gymnastics, highlighting the importance of living a balanced life and cherishing time with her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens. She stated, “I’m really trying to enjoy life, to spend time with my husband, go support him at his games, live my life as a woman,” reflecting a deliberate shift toward personal enrichment over public expectation. While she acknowledged her enduring competitive spirit, she insisted that any return would need to genuinely excite her. Observers interpreted this as an indication that her decision would hinge not on obligation but on a compelling personal motivation that aligns with her current stage in life.

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Despite the uncertainty surrounding her Olympic participation, Biles maintained a resolute sense of legacy and purpose. She praised the new generation poised to challenge the sport and recognized her achievements as sufficient to secure her standing, suggesting a graceful exit might be imminent. Fans now await her official declaration, aware that the decision will shape not only her career trajectory but also the narrative of gymnastics leading into the Los Angeles Games.

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Is Simone Biles' shift to horseback riding a sign of retirement, or just a new adventure?

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