The Knicks’ appearance in the NBA Finals had Spike Lee traveling to Paris to witness another American sports triumph.
The acclaimed filmmaker was at the French Open to cheer for Coco Gauff, who secured her first title by defeating 21-year-old world No. 1 Alina Sabalenka with a score of 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday morning.
Lee, dressed in all white with Yankees hats and sunglasses, showed visible excitement during the intense two-hour and 38-minute match, standing up and celebrating as Gauff claimed her second Grand Slam victory.
After her win, Gauff collapsed to the ground, tears flowing in joy.
The young athlete then shared heartfelt moments with Lee, giving him a hug and high-fives before continuing to celebrate her victory at the French Open Festival.
Gauff, despite hailing from Georgia, recognized the significance of the Knicks-Pacers series for Lee.
During the post-match press briefing, she mentioned that she had anticipated celebrating with Lee if she won.
“When I saw him in the stands, I thought, ‘If I win this match, the first thing I’ll do is go to Spike Lee.’ So, after my victory, I went right to him. I wanted to say that I was glad to give him something to cheer for, even if the Knicks didn’t win. It was pretty cool,” she said, her excitement evident.
Lee, a regular at the US Open in Queens, admitted this was the first time he and Gauff had formally interacted.
“That was the first time I really approached him,” she noted. “I’ve seen him at matches before, but this was different. I spotted him while warming up and felt a bit nervous, like, ‘Oh wow, he’s right there.’”
Gauff’s victory made her the first American woman to win the French Open in a decade, a remarkable feat that echoes Serena Williams’ triumph in 2015. Additionally, Gauff is now the youngest American to capture a women’s singles title since Williams, who won her first of three titles in Paris at the age of 20.
