Coco Gauff won the US Open 2023. The American player won her first Grand Slam title on Saturday at the age of just 19! Gauff won the final against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 2:6.6:3.6:2 after 2:06 hours. With this victory, she will reach third place in the WTA rankings, Sabalenka will become number one for the first time.
Gauff received at least three million US dollars (2.80 million euros) as a bonus for winning the title at the last major tournament of the year, while Sabalenka was able to console herself with half that. For Gauff, it was her 18th win in 19 consecutive matches, with the title at Flushing Meadows finally making her the new top star in America.game Make.
After her win, Gauff ran cryingly to her family in the stands and celebrated. During his victory speech, the American said: “Thank you to those who did not believe in me. A month ago I won the 500 title and people said that was it. Two weeks ago I won a $1000 tournament and they said I wouldn’t win a more valuable tournament than this. And now I stand with this trophy.”
The title means a lot to them, especially after a heart-breaking final defeat at the French Open 2022. “I’m a little shocked right now,” said the deeply religious Gauff, who also knelt and prayed after the victory.
“Thanks to my parents too. “Today was the first time I saw my dad cry,” Gough revealed. Her entire crew now had a white T-shirt that said “Call Me Champion” with “Coco” in the middle. Gauff’s real name is Corey, but she always wanted to be called Coco.
However, Gauff suffered an early defeat in front of approximately 23,000 fans. The crowd favorite (19) lost his serve in the opening game. The American won the rebreak to make it 2-2. Still, Sabalenka was on the trigger. This year’s Australian Open winner got additional breaks at 3:2 and 5:2 and Sabalenka used the second set point to make it 6:2.
As a result, Gough was able to improve. However, her Belarusian opponent made life difficult for her with her mistakes. The massive celebration of the mistakes made by the future number one probably got on Sabalenka’s nerves as well. Gauff managed the decisive break and made the score 3–1, with Sabalenka unable to capitalize on her only rebreak chance in the fifth game. Gauff used the first of two set points to tie the set.
Set three began to the fans’ liking in a particularly noisy atmosphere due to the closed terrace. Gauff immediately took a break to make it 1-0 and now, apparently undeterred by the crowd, the local hero took another break to make it 3-0. It was not until 4–0 down that Sabalenka managed to play again, and during the next break she took a medical break to treat her left thigh. This probably gave Gauff a little more time to think, but at least she served. But soon after, Gauff showed her nerves again and took Sabalenka’s serve again to make it 5:2. After this he served calmly and kept the score at 6:2.
