tennis
Young star Gauff celebrates emotional US Open triumph
Coco Gauff holds up the trophy after her victory. photo
© Frank Franklin II/AP
At 19, Coco Gauff fulfilled her childhood dream of winning the US Open title. American political celebrities congratulate her and see her as a role model. The tennis star sends clear words to all critics.
“Thank you to everyone who didn’t believe in me,” she said in her victory speech in front of more than 23,000 spectators about her special extra motivation. “Those who thought they were pouring water on my fire: they just added gasoline and now I burn so brightly.”
Just ten minutes before the match began, she had read comments on social media on her cell phone that she wouldn’t win. With this anger in his stomach, Gauff defeated the upcoming world number one Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus in a thrilling final 2:6, 6:3, 6:2. After clearly losing the first set, the young US star demonstrated an immense fighting spirit, as he has done several times in the tournament.
Congratulations from the President
“You electrified Arthur Ashe Stadium and the whole country,” congratulated US President Joe Biden via X, formerly Twitter, “the first (title) of more to come and proof that anything is possible if you don’t give up and you always believe in it.”
Gauff spoke movingly about her self-doubt and the rocky path from huge talent to celebrated first-time Grand Slam winner. “I wish I could give this trophy to my former self so she can see, ‘All tears are for this moment,'” she said, looking at the silver trophy, captioning her big day herself: “Dreams come true.”
The role of the radiant winner was actually predetermined for Gauff very early on. In 2019, at the age of 15, she qualified for the Wimbledon grass classic as the youngest participant in the history of the tournament, and finally catapulted herself into the public limelight with a sensational victory over Venus Williams. But the big triumph didn’t materialize at first. Last year Gauff lost her first Grand Slam final at the French Open against the Pole Iga Swiatek, the dream career seemed to falter.
Came back quickly
The low point was reached two months ago with the first round exit at Wimbledon. “She peaked. She’s done. It was all just hype,” she reminded the comments online. With more aggressiveness and coaching legend Brad Gilbert in a newly assembled team at her side, she managed to turn the tide again, going into the tournament as a co-favorite after two titles before the US Open.
There, after the opening set, she got on better and better with Sabalenka’s powerful style of play in the final and also benefited from many mistakes made by the Belarusian, who will be the new world number one on Monday. “I hope we play many more finals against each other,” congratulated Sabalenka. “Then hopefully with a different result.”
As an eight-year-old fan, Gauff was still dancing in the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium, now she became the first American teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams 24 years ago. “You are the reason I have this trophy. You allowed me to believe in this dream growing up,” the 19-year-old said of Serena and her older sister Venus. “There weren’t many black female tennis players who dominated the sport – just her. They made the dream credible.”
Serena Williams (41) has won 23 Grand Slam titles in her career, her older sister (43) seven. Former President Obama also expects that Gauff will not just triumph. “We couldn’t be prouder of you on and off the pitch – and we know the best is yet to come,” wrote the 62-year-old in his congratulations.
Celebrity support
Barack Obama and his wife Michelle had cheered on Gauff when she fought back in the first round against Laura Siegemund, also after losing the opening set. The couple then spoke to the American woman in the catacombs and gave her advice. “I’m a different person now,” Gauff said about this meeting almost two weeks later.
On Saturday, star guests like actresses Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and Diane Keaton and basketball star Kevin Durant cheered her on from the grandstand. With the greatest success of his career to date, the expectations placed on Gauff are not diminishing. US Vice President Kamala Harris described the 19-year-old as an “inspiration to millions of little girls”.
Gauff was asked whether she was ready for what was about to happen to her. “I’m ready,” she said firmly, citing her previous experiences with public pressure. “I know how to keep my peace and take it all in.”