With a comeback victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final, American youngster Coco Gauff realised the potential she had long expressed. This was the first Grand Slam championship she had ever won.
Sixth-seeded Gauff had a while to get going in front of a supportive home crowd, but she gained confidence and eventually defeated second-seeded Sabalenka in New York.
The 19-year-old Gauff won 2-6 6-3 6-2 in a wild Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Gauff stated, “I feel like I’m kind of in shock right now.
The American, who lost in her only other major singles final at the 2022 French Open, said, “I feel like God puts you through tribulations and trials and that makes this even sweeter.”
“I’m appreciative of this time. I am at a loss for words.
Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, will have to wait for a second major victory.
At least the 25-year-old Belarussian can comfort herself in the knowing that she will achieve world apex for the first time.
When the most recent rankings are announced on Monday, Gauff will move up to third place, a career-high, but what matters most is that she wins her first major at her home Grand Slam.
Gauff immediately collapsed onto the court and lay face down in her hands after winning the match with a backhand winner on her opening championship point.
The majority of the 24,000 spectators, who had cheered Gauff on with raucous encouragement the entire time, burst into wild joy.
Before heading up to the stands to greet her parents, Corey and Candi, Gauff, who was overtaken with emotion, gave a heart sign to the spectators.
The three of them embraced and bounced around in celebration of their family’s achievement, which was one of the biggest rewards in the sport.
Gauff, who was laughing, described the incident as follows: “When I hugged my dad, I didn’t see him since he went straight for the embrace, but I heard him crying.
“In all my life, I have never seen that man cry. My mother would cry whether I won or lost, and I knew that.
“Honestly, I had no thoughts. I kept asking myself, “Oh my goodness, how is this real?” throughout.
BBC
