After winning the WTA Finals, tennis player Coco Gauff was taken aback by her mind-blowing prize.
The 20-year-old athlete defeated Zheng Qinwen in a thrilling match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Gauff came back to win the second set 6-4 after trailing by a set, but the three-hour match was finally settled by a tie-break. Gauff won 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2). Moreover, Gauff also overcame Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, the top-ranked player and the second-ranked player in the world.
An amount of $4.8 million (£3.7 million) was awarded to Guaff, and it is said to be the biggest prize money in women’s tennis history.
About the prize money, Gauff said: “I didn’t know, like I knew it was some money, but I didn’t know that much… Oh it means a lot to me… I have bought a house… I’m going to a music festival next week. So, I don’t know, I’m not someone who likes to spend a lot of money to be honest. I don’t know what I’ll do with it. That’s a lot of money…”
She added: “Oh gosh, I hope I’m like one of the highest-paid female tennis players this year, so that’ll be exciting. Honestly, I wanted to win this for myself I didn’t know that it was the biggest prize check on this tour, I didn’t know anything about that. I knew there was money, but I try not to never play for this, but that’s cool.”
Furthermore, the competition splits the best eight female players into two groups of four, with the top two of each group qualifying for the semi-finals. Gauff, a former US champion, has experienced a difficult schedule at the WTA Finals, where she became the youngest US winner since Serena Williams in 2001.
Undoubtedly, this season has been eventful for Gauff. She won the French Open doubles in June and was a winner at the China Open last month. Moreover, she was part of Team USA at the Olympics and achieved two Grand Slam singles semi-finals at the Australian and French Opens.
Although Coco Gauff was eliminated at the WTA finals, the 19-year old still
continues to have aspirations of winning the season-ending tournament one day.
Gauff’s journey prior to the WTA finals
Last year, Gauff had a rough stint at the WTA finals, as she failed to win a single set and finished with a losing record of 0-3.
This year, though, proved to be different.
Gauff had an incredible start to her season before the WTA finals, winning the ASB Classic in Auckland in January; the Citi Open and the Cincinnati Masters both in August ; and, of course, her first-career grand slam, the US Open.
As a result, she quickly established herself as the top-ranked American in the WTA rankings, peaking at third place, behind only the number-one-ranked Iga Swiatek and the number-two-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.
Coco Gauff had the breakthrough of her life on the North American Hardcourts this summer.
• 51-15 Record • US Open Champion (1st GS Title) • Cincy Champion (1st WTA 1000 Title) • Titles in Washington and Auckland • 24-4 Record Post-Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/kLfEsYimJU
For Gauff, who was only 19, winning these titles and ranking that high in the budding stage of her career was impressive.
And, as the teenager headed into the season-ending competition in Cancun, she was one of the favorites to win the championship.
Gauff’s semi-final exit at WTA finals
Last week, Coco Gauff began her WTA Finals campaign with a dominant performance, trouncing her Tunisian opponent, sixth-seeded Ons Jabeur, in a 6-0, 6-1match that lasted just 57 minutes.
“I’m just happy,” Gauff said, “to finally get a win here in this event.”
And with another 5-7, 7-6(4),6-3 win against Márketa Vondroušová, Gauff was able to qualify for the semi-finals.
Because of this, Gauff now holds the distinction of being the youngest player to win a WTA final match and advance to the semi-finals since Caroline Wozniacki 14 years ago. Another record that shows how good a player Gauff is.
Her WTA finals run, however, was ended by fellow American and doubles partner Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals 6-2, 6-1.
Gauff: It’s definitely a dream
Despite failing to win the WTA finals for the second time, Gauff still hasn’t given up on her dreams of one day winning the tournament.
Despite her preference for winning grand slam competitions, Gauff stated in an interview that she still dreams of conquering the “very challenging” WTA finals.
Via The Tennis Letter: “It would be cool to win it. To be honest, as a kid, I always dreamt of winning Grand Slams. I think as I’ve grown as a pro on tour, I learned more about what the WTA Finals is about. I’d definitely say that would be a goal of mine now, after competing in it for 2 years and realizing this is the best of the best,” said Gauff.
“I do think I can improve. It would definitely be a dream. If I had to choose, I’d rather win another Slam. But it’s definitely a dream. I think this tournament is one of the most challenging. Not only because it’s the Top 8, but because it’s the end of the season,” she added.
Coco Gauff says it would be a dream to win the WTA Finals in the future:
“It would be cool to win it. To be honest, as a kid, I always dreamt of winning Grand Slams. I think as I’ve grown as a pro on tour, I learned more about what the WTA Finals is about. I’d definitely say… pic.twitter.com/jcSeVPaKi8
As the women’s tennis season came to a close, Gauff posted a short message in her X and Instagram account, saying that she saw both her darkest and brightest moments this year and that she’s proud of what she’s achieved so far.
Via Gauff’s Instagram: “2023 season is officially over. hard to sum of this season in a few words. I saw my darkest and brightest days of my life this year. I probably grew enough for 10 lifetimes between January & now lol. I usually don’t say this but I am learning to be nicer to myself haha (I get questioned all the time by family, press, and y’all for not saying this) but yes I AM proud of myself. I am proud of the resilience showed. They really tried to count me out but it is all in God’s plan and His timing.❤️”
2023 is season officially over. hard to sum of this season in a few words. I saw my darkest and brightest days of my life this year. I am proud of myself. God’s plan❤️ pic.twitter.com/tpOlOC4Vgh
Coco Gauff stunned world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka by defeating her in straight sets to get to the WTA World Tour Finals.
The American athlete faced world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the group stages and went on to win her second unexpected victory of the event against Sabalenka, winning the match 7-6(4), 6-3 in an hour and fifty-one minutes.
Highlights of the game
Despite threatening Sabalenka in the Belarusian’s opening service game, Gauff failed to convert two break point attempts. She broke herself in the following game as the top seed imposed her own agenda on the match. As the first set hovered toward a tiebreak, Gauff retaliated exceptionally to equalize the scores.
Gauff dominated the breaker, earning all four of Sabalenka’s initial service points before ultimately completing her third set point after the two traded breaks at 5-5 and 6-5.
Gauff maintained her momentum and won the second set, leading 4-1 and up a double break. Sabalenka grabbed an eighth breakpoint to cut the lead in half. However, Gauff booked herself in the finals by making one last break.
With her win, Gauff declared: “I’m happy with the way I played… Playing against Aryna, she’s always going to be a tough match. I just tried to stay in it. She’s world No. 1 for a reason, and I’m happy with how I played today.”
She added: “A break in tennis means nothing, to be honest. People think too much about it. I just knew I needed to win a game to stay in the set, and I was lucky that I broke in that game.”
Gauff will now face Zheng Qinwen of China, who won against eighth seed Barbora Krejcikova in the other semi-final. Krejcikova defeated Gauff in the group stages.
Gauff said: “[Zheng] is playing great tennis. Just playing confident[ly] will help me give me the best shot at winning. I’m not nervous, to be honest. Winning is a plus, and even being here is a reward for the season that I had.
“I think [Zheng] likes the courts here. She’s tough. A really good server, a really good mover. We kind of have different game styles in a way. It’s going to be a tough match, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be curious to see the last time two people who are pretty young in the final,” she added.
In the China Open finals, American tennis player Coco Gauff defeated Karolina Muchová 6-1, 6-3. With this victory, she became the first American to win the tournament after winning in straight sets, long since Serena Williams in 2013.
Moreover, Gauff became the first woman in WTA history to successfully win her first seven hard-court finals since the beginning of the Open era.
Acknowledging her match opponent, the athlete said: “I want to say congratulations to you Karolina. It’s great to see you back on tour. I think you’re such an amazing player and you deserve everything.”
In a social media post, Gauff said: “I’m happy with the fight I showed during the past two weeks here in Beijing and very grateful to walk away with the @chinaopen title ❤️. Thank you for all of the love and support!”
In the finals, Gauff gave a strong performance and established her dominance in the court by ending the first set in thirty minutes. However, her opponent took a 2-0 lead in the second set due to Gauff’s serving problems, but she immediately responded to regain her control of the match.
This was her first title in nine months after bringing Matt Daly to her coaching staff. She will now compete at the Wuhan Open and will continue to rise in the rankings.
After a tense battle with Belarusian player Aryana Sabalenka, Coco Gauff emerged as the victor in the US Open last Sunday and claimed her maiden Grand Slam title. She won the match with an impressive 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory, sending the fans into a frenzy of cheers and applause.
She also made history that day as she became the third American youngster, behind Serena Williams and Tracy Austin, to win her first Grand Slam championship. Austin won the title in 1979 and 1981, while Serena Williams, then 17 years old, won it in 1999.
Gauff has been on a tear ever since she lost in the first round at Wimbledon. But after that loss, she’s been on an 18-win streak, claiming the biggest WTA 500 title of her career in Washington and then taking it to the next level with a WTA 1000 win in Cincinnati.
And now, she’s done it again, winning her first ever Grand Slam title.
With this result, she climbed from fifth-ranked to third-ranked in the official WTA rankings, surpassing her prior career-best ranking of fourth, achieved at the end of last year.
After winning the match, Coco Gauff stated that she was thrilled to follow the footsteps of Serena and Venus Williams and that they were the reason why she had the trophy that day.
“I’m so honoured to be able to follow in my sisters’ footsteps and to be able to win my first Grand Slam title,” Gauff said.”It’s been an incredible journey and I’m so proud to be a part of it.
“Crazy. They’re the reason why I have this trophy today,” she said. “Honestly, they’ve allowed me to believe in this dream. Growing up, there weren’t too many just black tennis players dominating the sport. It was literally at that time when I was younger, it was just them that I can remember.
Gauff: It was crazy
Gauff says their legacy has had an immense impact, making her dreams feel attainable. Reflecting on the struggles endured by trailblazers like Serena, Venus, Althea Gibson, Sloane Stephens, and Naomi Osaka, “I’m reminded of the hurdles they overcame, especially in the fight for equal pay at events like Indian Wells.”
Being part of such an esteemed lineup, which includes legendary figures like Althea Gibson and modern champions like Serena, Venus, Naomi, and Sloane, is a true honor, she added.
“They paved the way for my journey here. I distinctly recall watching Sloane win this trophy in 2017, a moment that inspired me deeply, having known her since I was 10 years old.”
Coco Gauff defeated world No. 2 Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-4 to secure her spot in the 2024 WTA Finals semi-finals.
After her win, Gauff said: “Despite our head-to-head, I had a lot of confidence going in… I felt like I was playing great tennis, and even when I was playing a bit sloppy, the games were still going to deuce.”
She added: “That gave me confidence and I knew that if I could just find my game, that I would have the chance to close out the match… The first set I think I had three straight games in a row with breakpoints, I did not let that discourage me. I knew I was going to get it eventually.”
Highlights of the match
Gauff and Swiatek exchanged the first two games in the first set.
In the third game the world No. 3 had the opportunity to break her opponent, but Swiatek fought back from a 40-30 disadvantage to hold.
When the set was tied at 3-3, Gauff held serve and then broke her opponent to take a 5-3 lead. The 2024 French Open winner took a 1-0 lead in the match.
Moreover, Gauff won the first game of the second set by holding service after saving two break points. After making it 1-1, Swiatek broke Gauff and took a 2-1 lead in the second set by taking advantage of a string of double-faults. However, Gauff countered with a break of her own to halt Swiatek’s momentum and tie the second set at 2-2.
In order to regain her lead, Swiatek held serve in the sixth and then broke. But Gauff held serve to move and bring the score back to level with another stunning break to secure her win.
In all of their 13 matches, Gauff only won twice against Swiatek.
