When Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to win the US Open, the stadium exploded in an explosion of noise and jubilation, with supporters leaping to their feet in unison as Gauff dropped to the floor.
Celebrities, other tennis players, and numerous Presidents congratulated the 19-year-old for fulfilling the potential she originally demonstrated as a 15-year-old by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon.
Gauff told reporters that her early expectations had influenced her “a lot” after being the youngest American woman to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999.
“I learned how to not just stay within myself but also embrace it,” she remarked following her 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. “I used to try to ignore it, but now I’m really embracing it, and I still believe I have a long, long way to go as a player.” Today was far from my best, but it was just enough for me to win in that moment.”
Gauff has long been regarded as one of tennis’ next superstars, and her maturity on and off the court, intellect, and ability to communicate herself have won her fans, particularly in the United States.
President Joe Biden posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Congratulations to US Open Champion Coco Gauff.” “You electrified Arthur Ashe Stadium and the entire nation, proving that anything is possible if you never give up and always believe.” You have made America very proud.”
Barack and Michelle Obama cheered Gauff on from the audience during her first-round match against Laura Siegmund, and they praised her on X as well.
Former President Obama said, “we couldn’t be prouder of you on and off the court – and we know the best is yet to come,” while Michelle Obama praised Gauff’s “hard work and grit” and posted a snapshot of their post-match meeting.
Bill Clinton praised Gauff on her “incredible victory,” declaring that “the future of American tennis looks bright.”
Meanwhile, Serena Williams, who Gauff claimed “inspired me to believe in my goal,” celebrated Gauff’s triumph on Instagram with the message, “Ahhhhh!!!! Amazing!!!!”
“My dad took me to this tournament, and I was sitting right there, watching Venus and Serena compete, so it’s really incredible to be here on this stage,” Gauff said later, according to the WTA.
Gauff won the title with a stunning comeback after Sabalenka broke the American’s serve three times in the opening set.
With the full audience screaming “Let’s go, Coco,” Gauff lifted her level in the second set, going up a break before finally taking it 6-3 to force a deciding third set, which she won.
Stars including Nicole Kidman, Amanda Seyfried, Cara Delevingne, Ariana DeBose, and Diane Keaton were in the audience, and Gauff’s Instagram post commemorating her achievement was overwhelmed with comments from famous fans.
“You made me scream so hard today, queen!!! “Go Coco!!!” said Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness, as fellow tennis player Carlos Alcaraz congratulated her. “Amazing,” Zendaya said, leaving a sequence of star emojis.
Closer to home, Gauff told reporters that when she called her brother soon after the match, “it was hurting my ears, so I hung up.” Her mother leaped up and down with her hands in the air, she added, before embracing her daughter in the stands.
“When I hugged my dad, I didn’t see him because he went straight for the embrace,” Gauff told reporters. “I heard him crying, but I’ve never seen that man cry in my life, despite everything that’s happened.”
“I knew my mother would cry whether I won or lost. That didn’t surprise me. But, honestly, the whole time I was thinking to myself, ‘Oh my goodness, how is this real?'”
Sabalenka in a video posted on X formerly known as twitter was seen destroying her racket and throwing it in a dumpster afterwards.
