Dreams do come true.
As an eight-year-old, Coco Gauff watched the U.S. Open live. Now, 11 years later, she’s the tournament’s champion.
On Saturday, the 19-year-old phenom continued her outstanding 2023, coming from behind to knock off Aryna Salenka in three sets, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, claiming her first Grand Slam title.
After dropping the first set to Salenka, Gauff went on a tear. Serving for the win in the third set, Gauff left little doubt, sealing the victory with a sweet backhand before crumbling to the court in jubilation.
It’s been a long road to the U.S. Open title for Gauff and her run to the championship had its ups and downs, some that weren’t under her control.
During her semifinal contest Thursday against Karolina Muchova, climate change protesters interrupted the match, one of which glued their feet to concrete at Arthur Ashe Stadium, delaying things for roughly an hour. But, like she has throughout her young career, Gauff persevered, ultimately advancing to the finals.
Gauff is the 10th teenager to win the U.S. Open and the youngest American since Serena Williams in 1999.
In August, Gauff became the first teenager to win the Washington Open, clinching her first WTA 500 singles title. Meanwhile, Gauff later won her first WTA 1000 championship, defeating 2022 US Open winner Iga Swiatek to take the Cincinnati Open.
With two singles titles and now a Grand Slam championship under her belt, Gauff has shot up to the No. 3 player in the world and highest-ranked American.
Gauff was a little girl with a big dream over a decade ago. Now, she joins the likes of the William sisters, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and Billie Jean King as American U.S. Open winners. The latter of which congratulated Gauff following her massive win.
The young prodigy even received a shoutout from former First Lady Michelle Obama.