On September 9, 2023, Coco Gauff made headlines as she followed in the footsteps of her idol Serena Williams, and won the US Open Tennis Championships as a teenager. News of her inspiring victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open finals spread like wildfire, as fans across the country celebrated Gauff’s win and the voices of doubt she had faced throughout her career were drowned out.
The score sat at 2-6, 6-3 for Gauff as she entered the final set. Demonstrating the same ingenuity and skill she has become known for, Gauff brought the score up to 4-0. Sabalenka took a short timeout, which she followed by breaking 4-2. However, Gauff quickly broke as well, bringing the final score to 6-2. It was an outstanding victory for Gauff, who cried tears of joy at her win which cemented her as a Grand Slam Champion—the first American to win on their own turf in six years and most notably, the youngest American since Serena Williams to take home the title. When asked about her victory, Gauff grinned and replied, “It doesn’t feel real at all.” Her win was well-deserved, as she has been a top-level contender since she competed at the 2019 Linz Open at fifteen years old. There she became the youngest victor since 2004. It was truly touching to see her hard work pay off at the US Open.
Coco Gauff has been winning championships since fifteen, and has stood as a role model for just as long. She consistently uses her platform to uplift, appreciate, and advocate for Black lives. When speaking at a 2020 Black Lives Matter rally in Florida, her home state, she said, “This is not just about George Floyd. This is about Trayvon Martin. This is about Eric Garner. This is about Breonna Taylor. This is about stuff that’s been happening. I was eight years old when Trayvon Martin was killed. So why am I here at sixteen still demanding change? And it breaks my heart because I’m fighting for the future of my brothers. I’m fighting for the future of my future kids. I’m fighting for the future of my future grandchildren. So, we must change now.” Videos of the speech spread far and wide across the internet, including a video posted to Good Morning America. Coco Gauff’s powerful advocacy reveals that she is not only incredibly skilled in tennis, but also of impeccable character. I have no doubt that she will go on to carve a legacy reminiscent of Serena and Venus Williams.