Coco Gauff highly anticipated breakthrough came when she mounted a comeback from a set down to triumph over Aryna Sabalenka, claiming the US Open championship at Flushing Meadows, New York. Be sure not to miss the thrilling climax of the year’s final Grand Slam in New York in this article.
Coco Gauff’s aspirations became a reality when the American teenager triumphed over Aryna Sabalenka, winning her first-ever Grand Slam title at the US Open with a final score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. At just 19 years old, she accomplished a remarkable feat not witnessed among American teenagers since Serena Williams in 1999.
So proud of you, @CocoGauff! Your hard work and grit was on display throughout this tournament. This is your moment! 👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/WBeqiaIrTk
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) September 9, 2023
As Monday approaches, Sabalenka is set to rise to the coveted world No. 1 ranking. This achievement comes on the heels of a consistently successful year, including her triumph at the Australian Open and impressive showings in the semi-finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
Nevertheless, this remarkable accomplishment may provide little solace for the 25-year-old Belarusian. Despite positioning herself to secure her second Grand Slam title, she stumbled as Gauff clinched her inaugural one, delivering a thrilling victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium that etched an enduring memory in the hearts of the exuberant crowd.
After previously reaching her first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros last summer and experiencing a significant defeat against Iga Swiatek, Gauff shared her feelings, saying,
“This victory holds immense significance for me; it’s almost like a dream come true. The loss I endured in the French Open final was a challenging moment, but I believe that life’s trials and setbacks are all part of a greater plan, and they make this triumph even more special.”
She went on to say,
“I was fully aware that I needed to give my absolute best to have any chance of winning. Aryna is an exceptional player who truly deserves her number one ranking.”
Just before receiving the trophy from Billie Jean King, who was commemorating the 50th anniversary of equal prize money, Gauff took the microphone and added,
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude primarily to my parents.”
Today was a significant moment as I saw my dad cry for the first time. He often portrays himself as strong, but… he took me to this tournament when I was young to watch Serena and Venus Williams in action. So, it’s truly remarkable to find myself on this very stage.
I want to deeply thank my team. I’m aware that it’s been a long month, but your unwavering faith has been a constant pillar of support.
I also want to express my gratitude to those who may have had doubts about me. I aimed to handle it with grace. To those who may have thought they were extinguishing my passion, they unknowingly added fuel to the fire, and now I’m burning even brighter.
How Gauff achieved success at the US Open?
Bearing the burden of considerable expectations, Gauff commenced the match with a touch of anxiety, losing her serve in the opening game. Nonetheless, Sabalenka’s mistakes gave the American an opportunity to even the score at 2-2.
Nevertheless, the match’s overall tempo was largely controlled by the player who was on the verge of becoming the world No. 1. She showcased more accuracy than faults, clinching four successive games in her favor.
In the early stages of the second set, Gauff managed to assert herself, despite the fact that she was making more errors than successful shots. The enthusiastic crowd’s support spurred Gauff on, allowing her to endure longer rallies and pressuring Sabalenka into taking overly aggressive risks.
A thunderous cheer erupted when Sabalenka committed a double fault, handing Gauff a crucial break and a 3-1 advantage. From that moment, the young player’s self-assurance continued to grow as she held her serve to secure the set, ultimately leading to a decisive third set. She maintained her positive momentum by promptly breaking Sabalenka’s serve at the beginning of the final set, rapidly establishing a comfortable lead.
The second-seeded player had to take a medical timeout to address her left thigh injury after finally securing a game in the fifth set. This break allowed Gauff some unexpected moments to gather her thoughts.
Although a poorly played service game provided Sabalenka with an opportunity to stage a comeback, Gauff responded impressively with another break and clinched her victory in a spectacular manner.
There were tears of a distinct nature from Sabalenka, who commented as the crowd applauded, “You all could have cheered like this during the match! I just want to extend my congratulations to Coco; you played incredibly well.
Kudos to your team too. You all truly deserve this title, and I’m quite confident there will be many more in your future. I hope we’ll have the chance to compete in numerous more finals with a different result, hopefully.”
With heavy sobbing, the Belarusian added, “I want to send a lot of love to my family and express my apologies for this outcome.”
| Gauff | Match Stats | Sabalenka |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | -Aces | 4 |
| 5 | – Double Faults | 6 |
| 62% | -1st serve win percentage | 65% |
| 52% | -2nd serve win percentage | 41% |
| 7/10 | -Net points won | 13/21 |
| 5/9 | -Break points won | 4/10 |
| 13 | -Total winners | 25 |
| 19 | -Unforced errors | 46 |
| 83 | -Total points won | 74 |
Gauff dismisses her detractors, emphasizing that their comments only serve to intensify her motivation.
Coco Gauff, the newly crowned US Open champion, expressed her appreciation by saying, “I’d like to express my gratitude to those who never had faith in me. When I won a 500 title just a couple of weeks ago, doubts arose, and even when I secured a 1000 title shortly after, some believed that was the pinnacle. Yet, here I am, three weeks later, clutching this trophy.”
“I’ve made a conscious effort to handle everything with poise, and I’ve been working diligently to give my best. To be honest, for those who thought they were dampening my enthusiasm, they’ve only stoked the flames further. Now, my determination burns even brighter.”
During her press conference following the match, she added, “At times, I felt like I lost sight of my dreams as this journey unfolded, particularly after my Wimbledon defeat. People were quick to declare, ‘Oh, she’s peaked, it was all just hype.’ I’ve come across those comments; people may think I’m unaware, but I am aware. I know who has been critical.”
“So, this victory carries immense significance for me. I wish I could present this trophy to my former self so she could understand that all those tears were leading to this very moment.”
Navratilova thinks that Coco has only just embarked on her journey
Tennis legend Martin Navratilova, speaking to Sky Sports, expressed his belief: “I think she has been prepared for this moment since early on, but you still need to possess the qualities to handle it, and she does so with grace and humility. She’s just at the start of her journey.”
“What’s particularly intriguing is that there were substantial expectations placed on her when she burst onto the tour scene, especially following her breakthrough at Wimbledon. Some anticipated a rapid ascent to the top five.”
“I can’t comment on those who doubted her because I certainly wasn’t among them. She exhibits no signs of slowing down, so the world should pay attention. If she doesn’t reach double-digit Grand Slam victories, I would be surprised, assuming she remains injury-free.”
The four-time US Open champion also stressed, “She serves as an exceptional role model for young aspiring tennis players or anyone striving to achieve their aspirations. She had a dream, and now she has realized it.”
“She’s one of those individuals who will have a positive impact on the world.”
Anyone can make their dream come true if they believe in it. That’s what Gauff has just proved to the tennis world with his mineset. Sports360degrees.com extends its sincere congratulations to the US OPEN champions.
ALSO READ:
- Gauff vs. Sabalenka: Who will be the US Open women’s champ?
- Djokovic’s Marathon Win at Australian Open 2024
- Coco Gauff Dominates in Opening Match
