NEW YORK – American tennis sensation Coco Gauff made history on Sunday by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final, becoming the youngest American woman to win the Grand Slam title since Serena Williams in 1999.
The 18-year-old Gauff displayed nerves of steel as she overcame the hard-hitting Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set match, winning 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. The Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd was firmly behind the young American as she rallied from a one-set deficit to claim the championship.
“This is a dream come true,” said an emotional Gauff after the match. “I’ve been visualizing this moment since I first picked up a racquet.”
Gauff’s journey to the US Open title has been nothing short of remarkable. She burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old when she reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2019. She has since continued her meteoric rise up the rankings, reaching her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at last year’s French Open.
Her win at the US Open represents a major breakthrough for the supremely talented Florida native. It also provides a much-needed boost for American tennis, which has searched for a new star since the retirement of the Williams sisters.
Beyond her on-court success, Gauff also represents a role model for young athletes everywhere. As one of only a handful of Black American women to win a Grand Slam singles title, Gauff is paving the way for diversity and inclusion at the highest levels of tennis.
“I hope I can be an inspiration for others,” said Gauff. “If you have a dream, go out there and achieve it.”
After her emotional victory, Gauff is certainly inspired to achieve even more in what is sure to be a long, successful career at the top of women’s tennis. For now, she can celebrate a historic US Open title and her emergence as the brightest young star in the sport.
