Coco Gauff has used her US Open victory speech to send a message to her doubters, that she had arrived on tennis’ biggest stage proper.
The 19-year-old became the first American teen since Serena Williams in 1999 to win the tournament in a come-from-behind three-set thriller over Aryna Sabalenka.
“Thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me,” she said in her speech after her win.
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“Like a month ago, I won a 500 title and people said I would stop at that. Two weeks ago I won a 1000 title and people were saying that was the biggest it was going to get.
“So three weeks later, I’m here with this trophy right now.
“Tried my best to carry this with grace, and I’ve been doing my best. Honestly, to those who thought they were putting water in my fire: You were really adding gas to it and now it’s really burning so bright right now.”
Gauff is on a 12-game winning streak dating back to the final of the Canadian Open, when she lost in three sets to doubles partner Jessica Pegula.
In her only other slam final to-date, but was smoked 6-1, 6-3 by Iga Swiatek at Roland-Garros last year.
“That French Open loss was a heartbreak for me,” she recalled.
“But I realised, God puts you through tribulations and trials and this makes this moment even more sweeter than I can imagine.”
Sabalenka’s performance was one of the most error-prone outings she’d had all year. The Belarusian made six double faults (although Gauff made five), including one to gift Gauff a crucial break in the second set.
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She served at just 51 per cent and made 46 unforced errors to Gauff’s 19. Gauff hit only 13 winners to Sabalenka’s 25.
Another Sabalenka error gave Gauff three championship points, but the American sealed it herself with a backhand winner.
She fell to the ground in ecstasy, before saying a prayer and shaking hands with Sabalenka and the chair umpire.
Gauff claims maiden grand slam title
She said her faith had been an important part of her campaign, but she doesn’t pray for results.
“I just ask that, you know, I get the strength to give it my all and whatever happens, happens,” she said.
The victory extended Gauff’s lead in their head-to-head – she now leads 4-2 from their six meetings.
She will now climb to No.3 in the world rankings, behind only Swiatek and Sabalenka.