Coco Gauff, a 19-year-old American, achieved her first Grand Slam victory by winning the U.S. Open women’s singles title in three sets against Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus. Gauff’s scoreline was 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, making her only the third American teenager to clinch this final major of the year, following Serena Williams and Tracy Austin.
The last time an American woman triumphed at this tournament was in 2017 when Sloane Stephens defeated her compatriot Madison Keys. Gauff expressed her emotions after the victory, saying, “I feel like I’m a little bit in shock right now. I’m just thankful for this moment, and to be honest, I don’t have any words for it.”
After her win, Gauff rushed into the stands to embrace her parents, coach, and other supporters in her player’s box. She revealed that it was the first time she had ever seen her father cry.
Gauff also had a message for those who doubted her, saying, “Thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me. To those who thought they were extinguishing my passion, you were fueling my fire.”
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This championship match marked the first appearance in a U.S. Open final for both athletes. Gauff, seeded No. 6, became the first American teenager to compete in the U.S. Open women’s final since Serena Williams faced off against her sister Venus Williams in 2001 when she was 19 years old.
With this victory, the young talent from Florida became the 10th teenager to win the U.S. Open women’s singles championship and the youngest American to do so since Serena Williams’ victory in 1999 at the age of 17.
Gauff was part of a historic moment in tennis as she, along with Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys, and Ben Shelton, all Black American players, reached the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam tournament for the first time in the sport’s open era, which began in 1968.
Her last Grand Slam final appearance was in 2022, where she lost in the French Open to Iga Swiatek. Just last month, she made history by becoming the youngest player to win the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.
In an interview after the semifinals, Gauff expressed her excitement but also her focus, saying, “A lot to celebrate, but, you know, the job is not done.”
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Gauff’s victory places her among the tennis greats, and she expressed her gratitude, saying, “It’s an honor to be mentioned alongside Althea Gibson, Serena, Venus Williams, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens. They paved the way for me to be here… I hope another girl can see this and believe they can do it, and hopefully, their name can be on this trophy too.”
President Joe Biden congratulated Gauff on her U.S. Open win, praising her for electrifying the nation and setting an example of determination.
Aryna Sabalenka, the 25-year-old No. 2 seed, reached the U.S. Open semifinals in 2021 and 2022. Despite the loss, she will ascend to the world No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis in the upcoming Women’s Tennis Association rankings update, while Gauff will become No. 3.
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As the champion, Gauff earned $3 million in prize money, while Sabalenka received $1.5 million as the runner-up.
Gauff secured her spot in the championship by defeating Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic in two sets, although the match faced a nearly one-hour delay due to climate change protests by four spectators, leading to the arrest of two protesters.
Sabalenka reached the U.S. Open final by defeating Madison Keys in a tough match that included two tiebreakers. In her on-court remarks, Sabalenka commended Gauff’s incredible performance and expressed hope for future finals with different outcomes, ending with laughter and a congratulatory message, “Congrats, you’re amazing.”
