US Open champion Coco Gauff says doubters fueled her fire

Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in their Women’s Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 09, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP

Coco Gauff said critics who doubted her ability to win a major title fueled her breakthrough Grand Slam victory at the US Open on Saturday.

The 19-year-old American captured the first major championship of her career with a battling 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat of incoming world number one Aryna Sabalenka in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

Gauff, who climbed into the stands to embrace her family after the win, afterward gave a cheeky ‘thank you’ to those who wondered whether she was capable of landing major titles.

“Honestly, thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me…two weeks ago, I won a 1000 title (in Cincinnati) and people were saying that was the biggest it was going to get,” she said. “Three weeks later, I’m here with this trophy right now.

“Honestly, those who thought they were putting water on my fire, you were really adding gas to it, and now I’m really burning so bright right now.”

Coco Gauff, of the United States, holds up the championship trophy after defeating Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, in the women’s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Gauff had been beaten in her first Grand Slam final appearance at the French Open last year, a defeat she told ESPN on Saturday left her feeling like “my life was going to end.”

“That French Open loss (last year) was a heartbreak for me. That makes this moment even sweeter than I could imagine,” Gauff said.

“I’m so grateful for this moment. I don’t have any words for it to be honest.”

Gauff meanwhile paid tribute to her father, who took her to the US Open when she was growing up to watch her tennis idols Serena and Venus Williams.

“Today was the first time I’ve ever seen my dad cry,” Gauff continues. “He doesn’t want me to tell you about that.

“I’ve been coming to this tournament (for so long). My dad took me to this tournament sitting right there watching Venus and Serena compete, so it’s really incredible to be on this stage.”