As if playing in the US Open weren’t stressful enough! Coco Gauff—who did end up winning her first match—had Michelle Obama watching her from the stands. And also her husband, who used to be the president.
Mrs. Obama spoke on the opening day of the tournament, marking 50 years since it became the first Grand Slam tourney to give men and women equal prize money. She then greeted Billie Jean King, the tennis legend and feminist icon who was instrumental in bringing about that equality.
Combining sporty with classic for a distinctly American look, Obama chose a strapless denim bustier dress (Oscar de la Renta, per W) and a black cropped cardigan, later accessorizing the outfit with novelty sunglasses. She finished the look with a pair of espadrille wedges, a favorite style of Kate Middleton.
For the actual match, she sat with her unemployed husband. Other A-listers at the opening included Alec Baldwin, Mike Tyson, and Danny DeVito, per the .
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During the match Gauff had to confront the umpire for not penalizing her opponent, Laura Siegemund of Germany, when she went past her allotted time to prepare for Gauff’s serves. Perhaps they should have sent Barack down to negotiate something.
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After her win, Gauff recalled briefly meeting with the Obamas, telling the Associated Press that at first she thought it was just Michelle Obama, but “then Mr. Obama was there in the room too. I was like, ‘Oh, my God….’ I haven’t soaked it in because I literally just walked in here. I think I’m going to never forget that moment for the rest of my life. I went from being really upset after a win to, like, being really happy. So I’m glad I got to meet them. They gave me some good advice too.” She told reporters that Mrs. Obama had said to her that “it’s good to speak up for myself. I think she was happy that I spoke up for myself today.”
Can you literally even imagine having Michelle Obama be proud of you? I would drop dead.
