Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open final on Saturday to lift the first Grand Slam trophy of her career. The American needed all three sets to win the match, but is now one of the youngest champions in WTA history.
Gauff, 19, entered the contest as the youngest American US Open finalist since Serena Williams in 1999, when she won her home tournament and first major title about two weeks before turning 18 years of age.
Young Coco Gauff enjoying herself at the 1998 US Open
Sabalenka, 25, started the match on top after winning the first set 6-2. Gauff forced a third set after taking the second at six games to three.
The American teen sensation will become the world no. 1 player on Monday after beating no. 2 Sabalenka. Gauff entered the match ranked sixth in WTA.
She has now entered a prestigious list among American athletes and even had a few of the big names, like NBA star Kevin Durant, there as her cheerleaders.
Cori Gauff makes up for French Open loss
Gauff missed her shot at winning a Grand Slam last year when she lost to Iga Swiatek in the Roland Garros (French Open) final.
During her postgame press conference, Gauff spoke about how this makes up for losing that final, and thanked those who didn’t believe in her.
“Oh my goodness,” Gauff said. “It means so much to me. I feel like I’m a little bit in shock at this moment. That French Open loss was a heartbreak moment for me but I realized God pushes through trials and tribulations and that loss makes this a much more sweet moment.”
Gauff has had an incrddible summer so far, winning a WTA 500 and WTA 1000 title over the past few weeks, and now her first Grand Slam trophy, plus a $3 million prize.
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