American Coco Gough, He conquered his first “greatness” by winning the title this Saturday Participated in the US Open at the age of 19sent a very strong message to those who doubted her ability to break into the elite ranks after being considered a great prospect in women’s tennis.
“Honestly, thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me,” she said on court after defeating the Belarusian in the final. Alina Sabalenka.
“A month ago I won the WTA 500 (Washington) and some said I would stop there. Two weeks ago I won the Masters 1,000 (Cincinnati) and some said that was the most I could win. Three weeks later, I come here with this trophy (…) dedicated to all those who thought they were pouring water on my fire, but in fact they were pouring gasoline on my fire and now I burn very brightly,” he explain.
Gauff, known as the heir to the Williams sisters, defeated Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in 2 hours and 6 minutes. Sabalenka will become the new WTA No. 1 on Monday. one.
Amid an atmosphere of absolute jubilation at New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium, the young American recognized that the victory took away the sting of the 2022 French Open final, where she lost in her first match Polish player Iga Swiatek. Matching a “great” title.
“To all of you who thought you were pouring water on my fire, you were actually pouring gasoline on it and now I’m burning brightly.”
However, Gough argued that God had put problems and “turmoil” in his path, which made victory at Flushing Meadows all the more “sweet”.
Additionally, the African-American tennis player from Florida thanked her coach (who is Spanish) Pere Riba and Americans Brad Gilbert) He also had some special emotional words for his family.
Coco Gauff has nothing but praise for new world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka
“Today is the first day I’ve seen my dad cry and he didn’t want me to tell him…” he joked. Thank you for believing in me from the beginning.I came to this game (since I was a kid) and I sat there and watched Venus and Serena (Williams) compete. “So it’s great to be on this stage now,” he added.
He also praised his opponent Sabalenka, whom he defined as an “incredible” player and assured that she should be number one in the WTA.
Before lifting the trophy, Goff dropped two other anecdotes.First she said her brother didn’t answer her calls after winning the finals, then she thanked the legend as she collected her $3 million check as champion billie jane kingAttending the ceremony, she fought for equality between men and women at the US Open 50 years ago.
Coco Goff doesn’t forget legend Billie Jean King in speech