On Sept. 9th, and at 19 years old, Coco Gauff won the U.S. Open. She became the second youngest woman to win the tournament after Serena Williams.
Gauff has been a star to look out for ever since she became the No. 1 Junior in the world at the 2018 Junior French Open and U.S. Open. She has risen through the ranks rapidly, making it no surprise that she won her first Grand Slam at such a young age.
In only her second major final, Gauff beat Aryna Sabalenka, thus solidifying herself as the next female champion in tennis. Gauff’s win was unlikely after the first set, but her skills and confidence began to shine through the rest of the sets. She ultimately served the winning point in the last set and immediately collapsed on the court to the excited roar of the crowd before running to the stands to hug her parents.
This win is a major moment in tennis history for many reasons, with one being that Coco Gauff represents everything one would want in a Grand Slam winner. Her wholesome, humble image and dedication to her faith has made her a fan favorite to people all across the world, even those who don’t normally watch tennis. She also represents many American values such as determination, hard work, and being a self starter.
Another reason why people support Gauff is because at the end of the day, she’s just an relatable teenager like so many others. In a statement to ESPN after her win, Gauff said she noticed Justin and Hailey Bieber in the stands. “I thought, ‘I cannot lose in front of Justin Bieber.’ I didn’t lose a game after I saw that.”
“To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, you were really adding gas to it,” Gauff said in response to the people that doubted her after losing the 2022 French Open. She went on to thank many others including her parents, coaches, and team before finally thanking Billie Jean King who presented her with a check for $3 million. This was given to Gauff because it was the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Open being the first sporting event to offer equal prize money for both women and men.
Even one week after the win, the media are still talking about Coco Gauff’s win and she continues to celebrate in her hometown with her family and friends. But make no mistake, Cauff believes that this is just the beginning for her and that the Women’s Tennis Association can be sure to see more of her in the future.
