Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to take the US Open crown. The tennis player fell on her back and, after hugging her latest victim, she crouched down and cried emotionally. It was the first Grand Slam title of her young career.
“Thank you to those who didn't believe in me,” he said at the trophy presentation. “A month ago I won a 500 tournament and there were those who said I wouldn't go any further. A week later I won a Masters 1000 and they kept saying I would stop there. Today I have a Grand Slam. "If they thought they were putting out my fire with water, they were just pouring gasoline on it... and now it's even brighter!"
For this victory, the young tennis player received a prize of three million dollars. “Thank you, Billie (Jean King) for fighting for this,” she added when they handed her the check.
Gauff, 19, entered the final in the best shape of his career. Since Wimbledon, he had 17 wins and only one loss, with a streak of 11 consecutive victories. It was in London that he added the legendary Brad Gilbert (who had guided Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick to their titles in New York) to his technical team, along with the Catalan Pere Riba, who has coached her since last June. “What I am most proud of is my mental strength. I have fought for every point, regardless of the circumstances or the score. Today I will also fight for everyone,” said the Florida tennis player in the exit tunnel to the stadium. She was not intimidated by the force of the Belarusian's blows. “I am capable of absorbing and returning fire.”
When Gauff saved the first break point early in the match, the stadium showed they were going to be part of the game, showering Coco in thunderous applause of support. Both contestants put their best weapons on the track: the American, her speed, which allowed her to run from end to end to reach balls in the corners, lengthening the points; the Belarusian, the power and depth of her blows and her fighting spirit. It was that power that nullified Gauff in the first quarter.
In the second set, Gauff leveled up and reduced the number of unforced errors. The teenager knew how to control the force of her rival's shots and direct them to the other side of the net. Always expressive, Sabalenka showed her frustration with faces and gestures. Coco tied the match at one set.
The Cincinnati champion was not confident and stepped on the accelerator even more. She knew Aryna could turn the tables again, as she did to come back from 6-0 against her in her semifinal against Madison Keys. "You have to keep fighting," the Belarusian had said. But Gauff linked four consecutive games and with the score 4-1, Sabalenka requested a medical timeout, in which they treated her left abductor. If she was a tactic to slow down her opponent's good timing, she didn't do him much good. Breaks were traded, but Gauff's lead was enough for him to take the win.
Aryna Sabalenka cannot leave too disappointed, as thanks to the good results this season she will rise to the top of the ranking on Monday.
