Coco Gauff is channeling Kobe Bryant's 'incredible mentality' as she heads to the US Open final

• Coco Gauff punched her ticket to the 2023 US Open final with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Karolina Muchova.
• In her on-court interview, the 19-year-old said she has "a lot to celebrate, but the job is not done."

NEW YORK — Coco Gauff is through to the 2023 US Open final.

Sure, the 19-year-old is the youngest American since Serena Williams to make her US Open final debut. And yes, thriving for two weeks under the pressure of tennis' biggest stage is a feat worth celebrating.

But Gauff knows better than to let herself go there just yet.

After taking down Czech star Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-5 in Thursday night's semifinal, Gauff acknowledged that "it means a lot to be in the final" of a tournament she grew up watching. While she knows there's already "a lot to celebrate" from her run in Flushing Meadows, she reminded herself, and the crowd, that "the job is not done."

Gauff confirmed in her post-match press conference that she was referencing late NBA legend Kobe Bryant. When a reporter asked the Los Angeles Lakers guard why he seemed unhappy after winning Game 2 of the 2009 NBA Finals, Bryant famously responded: "What's there to be happy about?"

"Job's not finished."

During her post-match press conference Thursday, Gauff told Insider that she hopes to channel Bryant's "incredible mentality" as she heads into the biggest match of her career. Like "The Black Mamba" — who "doesn't celebrate" when he's ahead — the young superstar plans to give herself "a pat on the back" before it's "time to move on."

"So that's the mentality that I have," Gauff said. "I'm trying to enjoy the moment but also knowing I still have more work to do."

"Yes, the final is an incredible achievement," she added. "But it's something that I'm not satisfied with yet."

Gauff, who is seeking the first Grand Slam title of her young career, will face soon-to-be world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Fans can tune in to watch the action unfold at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.