Young American tennis player Coco Gauff created history by winning the US Open last month. The 19-year-old was sensational, as she fought her way back to clinch her maiden Grand Slam title. The fact that Gauff won it on her home soil just made her victory sweeter. However, Coco recently opened up about her struggles, following her remarkable outcome at Flushing Meadows.
It was not an easy match by any means, as Aryna Sabalenka fought hard. The Belarussian took the opening set and Gauff had to dig deep to take the next set and force a decider. She eventually won the match 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Thus Coco created history by being the youngest player after Serena Williams to lift the trophy.
Coco recently opened up about what things were like for her after her victory. She took a short 7-day hiatus from tennis, but she was itching to get back to her winning ways.
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“It was honestly a little bit weird. Because it was just one of the biggest things in your life, then you go home and you’re back to cleaning and doing all the regular stuff that you do,” said Gauff (via Daily Express).
In the wake of her first Grand Slam victory, congratulations poured in from all quarters. Past and present tennis players and other celebrities wished her on her success.
Former star Maria Sharapova thinks Coco has a bright future as she is an amazing competitor. Sharapova added that Coco also has the ability to transcend tennis, which makes her the full package.
Maria Sharapova on Coco Gauff:
“I have been saying for years that I think she has the ability to transcend the sport into so many [areas], bridging entertainment, sport and culture, and fashion”
“She has such a great voice and is an amazing competitor, which is just like the… pic.twitter.com/bi1RDVHsXH
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) September 28, 2023
When a 15-year-old Gauff burst onto the tennis scene three years ago, tennis legend Steffi Graf made a bold prediction. She tipped Gauff for greatness and the teen is well on her way to prove Graf right, if her recent comments are to go by.
Coco Gauff wants to keep winning
Gauff has had an amazing summer this year, turning her career around after an abysmal outing at Wimbledon. She won two WTA titles en route to the biggest title of her career- the US Open. However, the teen is determined not to rest on her laurels.
During a recent press conference, Gauff opened up about not wanting to bask in the glory of her first major title. She stated her desire quite plainly- to win more Grand Slams in the years to come. “I don’t want to end at just one Slam,” said Gauff.
Coco Gauff says she doesn’t want to stop at one Grand Slam:
“It was honestly a little bit weird, bc it was just one of the biggest things in your life, then you go home & you’re back to cleaning & doing all the regular stuff that you do. But I’m not surprised. I know I have lots… pic.twitter.com/LlyTYJZ53w
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 30, 2023
Coco Gauff will play in the China Open, her first tournament since becoming a Grand Slam champion. Her career is on an upward trajectory, and if she can keep at it, success will follow.
