Neuf ans après son idole Serena Williams, la pépite américaine Coco Gauff a brandi samedi le trophée de l’US Open, son premier en Grand Chelem, grâce à une victoire arrachée à la Bélarusse Aryna Sabalenka.
« I used to come to this tournament when I was little and I would sit in these stands to watch Venus and Serena play… It’s incredible, » said the 19-year-old player in one of her very first comments after her victory.
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After a first failure in the final of a Major in 2022 at Roland-Garros, and while she had never made it past the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows, Gauff won 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 against Sabalenka, taking advantage of her opponent’s numerous unforced errors (46). With this victory, she will also rise to third place in the world rankings on Monday, her highest ranking.
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As for Sabalenka, she was already guaranteed to become N.1 after the defeat in the round of 16 by the defending champion Iga Swiatek. In front of over 28,000 spectators who came to support her in the stands and around the Arthur Ashe court, Gauff gave a lesson in courage. While her opponent tried to overpower her with powerful shots, the American responded with heroic defense, completely breaking her opponent.
« Fier de toi »
« I cannot reword »
Other celebrities also wanted to congratulate the young champion. Her opponent, first of all, said: « Coco has been incredible and she deserves the victory, » Aryna Sabalenka exclaimed. The « queen » Maria Sharapova also had a little message for the « champion of the day. »
Congratulations to US Open champion, @CocoGauff! We couldn’t be prouder of you on and off the court – and we know the best is yet to come.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 9, 2023
Congratulations to Coco Gauff, the champion of the U.S. Open. You brought excitement to Arthur Ashe stadium and the entire country. This is just the beginning, showing that anything is achievable if you persevere and maintain belief.
You’ve made America so proud. https://t.co/N3Pl56wsJM
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 9, 2023
Finally, former President Barack Obama and current US Secretary of State Joe Biden also sent a message to congratulate the young American who represented her country proudly in the American tournament.
