The USA has a new superstar in Coco Gauff

The only 19-year-old American wrestled the world number two Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus after 2:06 hours with 2:6.6:3.6:2 in the New York US Open final on Saturday in front of around 23,000 enthusiastic fans . She will climb to third place in the WTA rankings, Sabalenka will be number one for the first time.

Gauff received no less than three million US dollars (2.80 million euros) as a bonus for winning the title at the last major tournament of the year, while Sabalenka was able to console herself with half. For Gauff it was her 18th victory in 19 matches in a row; the title in Flushing Meadows has finally made her the new top star in US sports.

A new star also thanks to her eloquence during the victory speech, after she ran crying to her family in the stands and let herself be celebrated. “Thanks to the people who didn’t believe in me,” she surprised the audience. “A month ago I won a 500 title and people said that was it. Two weeks ago I won a 1000 tournament and they said I won’t win a more valuable tournament. And here I am with this one Trophy there,” explained Gauff and added meaningfully: “To all those who thought they were pouring water on my fire: you poured oil into it and now I’m burning so brightly.”

“I’m a bit shocked”

The title means a lot to her, especially after a heartbreaking final defeat at the French Open 2022. “I’m a bit shocked at this moment,” said the very religious Gauff, who also took a short knee after the victory had said prayer.

“Thanks also to my parents. Today I saw my dad cry for the first time,” revealed Gauff. Her entire crew now had a white T-shirt that said “Call me Champion” with “Coco” crossed out in between. Gauff’s actual name is Cori, but he always wanted to be called Coco.

Of course, the new major winner didn’t forget Sabalenka either. “I congratulate you on the number 1 ranking, you really deserve it and you are a really nice person behind the scenes.”

Thrilling game

In front of around 23,000 fans who were almost exclusively on their side, Gauff had to chase a deficit right from the start. In the opening game, the 19-year-old crowd favorite lost his serve. And although the American managed the rebreak to make it 2-2, Sabalenka was constantly under pressure. This year’s Australian Open winner got further breaks to 3:2 and 5:2 and Sabalenka used the second set point to make it 6:2.

In front of the eyes of many celebrities such as actresses Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and Diane Keaton, Gauff improved a little, while Sabalenka made life difficult for herself with significantly more mistakes. Heavily celebrated mistakes by the future number one probably also gnawed at the nerves of the player from Belarus. Gauff managed the decisive break to make it 3-1, Sabalenka was unable to capitalize on the only chance for a rebreak in the fifth game. Gauff used the first of two set points to tie the set.

Set three began just as the fans liked in the particularly loud atmosphere due to the closed roof. Gauff immediately managed the break to make it 1-0 and now, apparently unimpressed by the crowd, the local hero pulled away with another break to make it 3-0. It wasn’t until 4-0 that Sabalenka managed to play again, and during the next break she took a medical break to treat her left thigh. This perhaps gave Gauff a little too much time to think, but at least she gave her service. But immediately afterwards, Gauff showed her nerves again and took Sabalenka’s serve again to make it 5:2. She then served coolly and kept the score at 6:2.

Gauff won her first title on the tour in Linz in 2019. She is the third teenager after Bianca Andreescu (2019) and Emma Raducanu (2021) within five years to triumph at the US Open.