As the pressure of a potential US Open championship weighed heavily on her mind the night before the final match, Coco Gauff sought solace in her boyfriend to help her regain her focus.
After enduring a significant setback in her budding career with a first-round departure at Wimbledon, Gauff made a pivotal decision to assemble a fresh coaching team and commenced the hard court season with modest expectations. However, she defied all odds by triumphing in 18 out of 19 matches, including the crucial seven at this tournament, solidifying her status as a permanent major champion.
At the age of 19, Coco Gauff achieved a remarkable milestone by clinching her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, marking just her second appearance in a Grand Slam final. Her previous attempt was at the 2022 French Open, where she encountered a disappointing loss. Reflecting on that experience, Gauff candidly admitted that she might have allowed herself to become overly preoccupied with envisioning victory and holding the trophy the night before the match, which, she believes, detracted from her focus on winning the contest.
Determined to maintain her focus, Gauff took proactive steps this time. The night before her US Open final, the tennis sensation reached out to her boyfriend for support.
On Saturday, Coco Gauff emerged victorious against Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. She managed to overcome a somewhat uncertain start by making precise adjustments and gradually seizing command of the match. This victory marked a significant milestone for Gauff, as she joined the esteemed company of Tracy Austin in 1979 and Serena Williams in 1999, becoming the third American teenager to claim the title at the US Open women’s final.
Sabalenka, who secured the Australian Open title in January and now leaves the US Open as the reigning world No. 1, faced a perplexing dilemma in responding to Gauff’s relentless defensive play and exceptional court coverage. Gauff’s ability to force Sabalenka into striking additional shots from challenging positions left her uncertain about her approach.
“The first set I was dealing with my emotions quite good,” Sabalenka said. “I was focused on myself, not on the crowd or the way she moves. Definitely she was moving just unbelievable today. Then the second set I start probably overthinking, and because of that I start kind of like losing my power. Then she start moving better. I start missing a lot of easy shots.”
One of the most striking instances occurred during the second point of the final set when Sabalenka relentlessly pushed Gauff from one side of the court to the other, desperately seeking an opportunity to deliver a powerful shot into the backhand corner. However, Gauff’s exceptional lateral movement allowed her to track down the ball and execute a precisely timed lob, challenging Sabalenka’s footwork. Struggling to maintain her balance, Sabalenka ended up hitting the ball into the net.
Gauff seized the momentum from that point, securing a crucial break to commence the third set and extending her lead to 3-0. Sabalenka, on the other hand, found herself unable to shift into a higher gear, opting for increasingly forceful shots without the capacity to sustain rallies.
“I feel a little bit in shock at this moment,” Gauff addressed the audience following her victory. “That French Open loss was a heartbreak for me, and that makes this moment even more sweeter than I could imagine.”
(Source: Dan Wolken | USA Today)
