Teen prodigy Coco Gauff is the new US Open champion! Gauff locked horns with the new world number one Aryna Sabalenka in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday. Coco came back from behind to dismantle Sabalenka’s efforts for a second slam and she did it in style. This victory makes Coco the first teenager to win the title since Serena Williams in 1999.
Gauff has had an incredible hard-court season this year. She won the silverware in Washington and Cincinnati, en route to the biggest title of her career and her maiden Grand Slam.
It did not come easily to Gauff, as Aryna took the opening set in the final. Sabalenka gave as good as she got, but in the end, Gauff kept a level head and made fewer mistakes than her opponent. Coco struck a backhanded volley to win the championship and immediately burst into tears on the court.
Coco Gauff is in tears as she becomes the first teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999.
It’s been a tough road, but it was all worth it.
Soak it all in.
You earned every minute of this. 🥹❤️
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 9, 2023
The journey to this title was not easy for Gauff, the tennis prodigy. She had made it to the finals of the French Open last year, before losing to Iga Swiatek. Her outing at Wimbledon this year was disastrous, as she got knocked out in the first round itself. But Gauff changed her coaching team, and it has made all the difference for her.
It is not often that prodigies can live up to the expectations of the masses, but not Coco Gauff. With this win, Gauff has established herself as a force to be reckoned with. She went from being a little child, dancing on the bleachers of Arthur Ashe, to winning her first major at the same venue.
Coco Gauff went from being a kid in the stands to a US Open champion.
Anything is possible. pic.twitter.com/1kce1ANO6E
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2023
In her victory speech, Coco thanked the people who traveled this path before her. She mentioned Billie Jean King, who played an instrumental role in making the WTA what it is today. She also thanked her idol, Serena.
Coco Gauff thanks the Williams sisters
Gauff has just become the third teenager, after Serena Williams and Tracy Austin, to win the US Open. The teen battled Sabalenka for over two hours, finally defeating the Belarussian 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
In the post-match interview, Coco spoke about watching the Williams sisters dominate the sport. Serena and Venus Williams paved the way for a player such as herself.
Coco Gauff says Serena & Venus Williams are the reason she has the US Open trophy today:
“They’re the reason why I have this trophy today. They’ve allowed me to believe in this dream. Growing up, there weren’t too many black tennis players dominating the sport. It was just them… pic.twitter.com/IJN1viI4nx
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 10, 2023
Gauff recalled Serena’s humiliation at Indian Wells and Venus’ fight for equal pay. The sisters instilled a dream in Coco, one that has finally come to fruition.
Coco Gauff has been on an incredible journey, and she is only just starting out. However, with this victory, Gauff ensured that her name gets etched in tennis history alongside her idols Serena and Venus.
