New US Open champion Coco Gauff says the pressure of winning her maiden Grand Slam title has been taken off but the 19-year-old is still “hungry for more”.
Gauff rallied from a set down to beat Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and claim her first Grand Slam title in front of adoring home fans.
Her triumph at Flushing Meadows was the 12th in a row for Gauff and the 18th in her past 19 matches, a run that began after a first-round exit at Wimbledon in July.
The win delivered on years of enormous expectations hoisted upon the young American’s shoulders after she became the youngest ever to qualify for the main draw at the All England Club at 15 years old.
After losing to Iga Swiatak in last year’s French Open final, she has found a new gear, producing the best tennis of her career as she picked up a win in Washington and secured her first WTA 1000 title in Cincinnati, before becoming the first American to win a US Open singles title since Sloane Stephens in 2017.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the US Open final between Gauff and Sabalenka
“The French Open moment, I watched Iga lift up that trophy, and I watched her the whole time. I said to myself ‘I’m not going to take my eyes off her’, because I want to feel what that felt like for her,” said Gauff.
“I think people were putting a lot of pressure on me to win. I felt that at 15 I had to win a Slam at 15. I think that was not the mistake, because everything led to this moment so there was no mistakes.
“I think the pressure has been a little bit taken off a little bit, and I still am hungry for more. I’m just going to enjoy this and try not to look into the future.”
Gauff follows in the footsteps of Althea Gibson, Serena and Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens and Naomi Osaka to be the latest black woman to win the title in New York and now she wants to continue the legacy.
“I remember Sloane winning this trophy in 2017 and I lost in the juniors. It was an inspiring moment for me to see her win because I grew up watching her and I have known Sloane since I was 10 years old,” said Gauff.
“Obviously Serena and Venus, words can’t describe what they meant to me. I hope that I’m a continuation of a legacy. I hope another girl can see this and believe they can do it and hopefully their name can be on this trophy too.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Gauff says it ‘means so much’ to lift the US Open trophy in front of her home crowd, and thanks her doubters for giving her extra motivation
After offering her opponent a hug, Gauff burst into tears and embraced her parents in the stands.
It’s a reminder that “dreams come true” with Gauff unable to put her victory into words but instead using Alicia Keys as her inspiration, adding: “There is a song lyric that I want to use for my Instagram caption. It goes, “Concrete jungle, where dreams are made of. Yeah, that lyric is true. New York City is the city where dreams are made of.”
Sabalenka will finally see her name atop the world rankings on Monday, and she wants it to stay there.
“It’s good that I can say I have been world number one, but I really would like to finish the year as world number one,” Sabalenka said.
“That’s why I’m still positive and I’m still motivated.”
Tennis is back on Sky Sports
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Roger Federer has showcased his superb through-the-leg ‘tweener’ shots on multiple occasions at the US Open
Tennis is back on Sky, adding to the existing sports portfolio and reaffirming the broadcaster as the home of live sport in the UK & Ireland.
Sky Sports’ new mixed reality studio features multiple custom built LED screens, integrated light ‘sabres’, and an open canopy roof, making the space alive with colour and energy to reflect the vibrancy of the last Grand Slam of the year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Rafael Nadal hit an incredible shot around net against Marin Cilic in 2019, much to Tiger Woods’ delight
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Relive Andy Murray’s rollercoaster career at the US Open, which saw him claim his maiden major title in 2012
With integrated AR capabilities, a versatile LED floor, and a ‘fourth wall’, the viewer will be transported to the Arthur Ashe Stadium in a 360-degree immersive environment. Our tennis experts will take the viewer into the eyes of the players for expert Hawkeye analysis and insight as the tournament progresses.
The technology involved allows us to add an entire new dimension and will bring customers closer to the action.
Highlights of matches will be available across Sky Sports TV and our social media platforms.
Video highlights will also be available of the Sky Sports website and app, where there will also be a daily live text commentary on the Sky Sports website and app, as well as live scores, reports, analysis and features.